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Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

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http://www.archive.org/details/englishchurchfurOOcoxjrich 


THE     ANTIQUARY'S     BOOKS 

GENERAL  EDITOR  :  J.  CHARLES  COX,  LL.D.,  F.S.A. 


ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


FONT  COVER,   EWELME,   OXON 


ENGLISH     CHURCH 
FURNITURE 


BY 


J.  CHARLES  COX,  LL.D.,  F.S.A. 

AND 

ALFRED  HARVEY,  M.B. 


WITH    ONE    HUNDRED    AND    TWENTY-ONE    ILLUSTRATIONS 


NEW   YORK 
E.  P.  BUTTON  &  CO, 

1907 


^%ifi 


'B 


PREFACE 

IN  this  book  an  endeavour  has  been  made  to  gather  together 
some  accounts  of  the  more  remarkable  examples  of  old 
church  furniture  which  are  now  extant  in  the  parish  churches 
of  England  ;  with  lists  of  all  chancel  screens,  and  of  the  best 
instances  of  old  altar  slabs,  altar  plate,  fonts,  pulpits,  lecterns, 
piscinas,  holy-water  stoups,  stalls,  benches,  embroideries,  chained 
books,  and  other  details.       * 

At  first  it  was  proposed  to  confine  these  accounts  and  lists  to 
pre- Reformation  days  ;  but  it  was  eventually  decided  to  give  a 
certain  amount  of  general  information  down  to  the  end  of  the 
seventeenth  century. 

The  original  intention  was  to  include  descriptions  of  such 
matters  as  painted  glass,  wall  paintings,  floor  tiles,  and  ironwork  ; 
but  the  plan  became  perforce  more  restricted  for  lack  of  space.  It 
is  possible  that  these  subjects  may  be  discussed  in  a  future  volume. 

The  following  pages  have  been  in  the  course  of  preparation  for 
about  six  years.  The  delay  in  issuing  a  book  which  has  been  so 
long  announced  has  been  caused  by  the  desire  of  the  authors  to 
improve  and  perfect  the  lists  of  various  articles  of  extant  church 
furniture.  They  are,  however,  convinced  that  a  delay  of  even 
double  that  period  would  not  suffice  to  make  the  work  actually 
complete,  and  are  fully  aware  that  it  will  be  found  deficient  in 
some  places,  and  perhaps  incorrect  in  others.  Nevertheless,  it 
seems  best  to  issue  the  book,  notwithstanding  its  probable  defects, 
for  a  postponement  until  perfection  was  attained  would  probably 
prove  perpetual. 

.  It  is  scarcely  possible  for  any  one  or  two  persons'  to  visit  and 


214407 


vi  ENGLISH   CHURCH    FURNITURE 

note,  even  during  a  long  lifetime,  the  whole  of  the  many  thousands 
of  parish  churches  throughout  England,  and  it  will  probably  be 
found  that  some  of  the  counties  are  more  exhaustively  treated 
than  others.  Many  of  the  churches  in  each  county  are  known  to  one 
or  other  or  both  of  the  writers  ;  in  a  few  cases,  such  as  Cornwall, 
Derbyshire,  Hampshire,  Leicester,  and  the  East  Riding  of 
Yorkshire,  all  the  old  churches  have  been  visited  ;  whilst  personal 
attention  has  been  given  to  the  contents  of  a  very  large  number 
of  ancient  fabrics  in  the  counties  of  Devon,  Essex,  Gloucester, 
Kent,  Norfolk,  Notts,  Somerset,  Suffolk,  Surrey,  Sussex,  Warwick, 
Wilts,  and  N.  R.  Yorks. 

Personal  knowledge  has  been  widely  supplemented  by  the 
study  of  standard  ecclesiological  and  architectural  works,  and  of  all 
the  proceedings  of  archaeological  societies,  as  well  as  by  examina- 
tion of  a  great  number  of  more  or  less  accurate  monographs  on 
particular  churches,  both  large  and  small. 

It  is  also  a  pleasure  to  acknowledge  the  assistance  so  kindly 
and  readily  given  by  other  workers  in  the  same  field.  Particular 
gratitude  is  due  to  the  Rev.  R.  M.  Serjeantson  and  to  Mr.  Francis 
Bond  for  the  tedious  task  that  they  both  so  good-naturedly  under- 
took of  reading  the  whole  of  the  proofs,  and  for  making  a  number 
of  valuable  suggestions.  Mr.  Bond's  kindness  is  all  the  greater 
as  he  is  himself  engaged  in  a  larger  work  that  covers  much  the 
same  ground,  and  which  will  ere  long  be  issued  as  a  supplemental 
volume  to  his  recent  great  book  on  English  Gothic  Architecture. 

They  also  desire  to  acknowledge  the  kindly  general  help  on 
particular  information  supplied  by  the  Right  Rev.  Abbot  Gasquet, 
the  Revs.  W.  E.  Bury,  A.  N.  Cooper,  D.  H.  S.  Cranage,  E.  H. 
Goddard,  S.  P.  Potter,  T.  M.  Swann,  and  R.  O.  Yearsley.  In 
many  other  instances  they  are  indebted  to  individual  clergymen 
for  replies  to  queries  as  to  fittings  in  the  churches  of  which  they 
are  incumbents. 

Among  the  laymen  to  whom  they  are  more  particularly  indebted 
is  Mr.  H.  Littlehales,  the  editor  of  the  valuable  work  Mediceval 


PREFACE  vli 

Records  of  a  City  Churchy  recently  issued  by  the  Early  English 
Text  Society  ;  and  others  who  should  be  named  are  the  late  Earl 
of  Liverpool,  the  Hon.  F.  Strutt,  Colonel  Hart,  Dr.  E.  M.  Sympson, 
Dr.  Laver,  F.S.A.,  Mr.  R.  M.  Murray,  Mr.  George  Clinch,  Mr.  F. 
Bligh  Bond,  Mr.  Aymer  Vallance,  F.S.A.,  and  the  late  Mr.  J. 
Romilly  Allen. 

To  Mr.  Guy  Le  Blanc  Smith  particular  thanks  are  due  for 
putting  at  their  disposal  a  large  collection  of  good  photographs 
of  fonts  for  reproduction.  Grateful  acknowledgments  are  also 
extended  to  the  Rev.  and  Hon.  Canon  Gibbs  for  the  use  of  illus- 
trations originally  prepared  for  the  English  Church  History 
Exhibition  held  at  St.  Albans  in  1905,  and  to  the  following  societies 
for  the  loan  of  blocks  ;  Royal  Archaeological  Institute,  Society  of 
Antiquaries  of  Newcastle,  the  county  Archaeological  Societies  of 
Norfolk,  Surrey,  and  East  Herts,  the  Field  Clubs  of  Dorset  and 
Hereford,  and  the  Archaeological  Section  of  the  Birmingham  and 
Midland  Institute,  as  well  as  to  Messrs.  Bemrose  as  publishers  and 
proprietors  of  the  Reliquary. 

Their  apologies  are  offered  in  advance  to  any  generous-minded 
helpers,  either  in  letterpress  or  pictures,  whose  names  may  have 
been  accidentally  overlooked.  They  are  also  grateful  to  Messrs. 
Methuen  for  their  goodness  in  consenting  to  the  considerable 
enlargement  of  this  issue  beyond  the  size  of  its  fellows  of  the  series, 
as  well  as  to  the  multiplying  of  the  original  illustrations,  and  that 
without  any  addition  to  the  modest  price. 

By  far  the  greater  part  of  the  letterpress  has  been  written 
exclusively  for  this  book,  but  here  and  again  a  few  paragraphs  are 
reused  from  critical  church  articles  contributed  by  one  of  the 
authors  to  the  columns  of  the  Athenceum,  Builder^  Guardian^  and 
Church  Times ^  and  for  leave  to  cite  these  they  are  obliged  to  the 
respective  editors. 

No  one  can  be  more  cognisant  of  the  imperfections  of  these 
pages  than  the  writers,  and  they  will  be  grateful  for  any  corrections 
which  may  perchance  eventually  lead  to  the  issue  of  an  improved 


viii         ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

edition.  At  the  same  time  they  have  the  confident  hope  that  the 
book  will  prove  of  some  real  assistance  to  ecclesiologists,  as  a  first 
attempt  to  draw  up  schedules  of  existing  examples  of  church 
furniture.  It  is  also  their  earnest  wish  that  such  a  publication 
as  this  may  serve  as  some  slight  check  on  the  grievous  destruction 
which  ignorance  and  falsely  directed  zeal  has  wrought,  even  in 
quite  recent  years,  among  ancient  church  fittings,  which  ought  to 
be  regarded  as  the  monuments  of  the  piety  and  artistic  feeling  of 
bygone  days. 

J.  C.  C. 

A.  H. 

August,  igoy 


CONTENTS 

CHAPTER   I 


PAGE 

Altars— Altar  Slabs— Altar  Rails— Altar  Screens  or  Rere- 

DOSES I 


CHAPTER    II 

Church  Plate — Chalice  and  Paten — Pyx— Cruets  and  Flagons 
—Spoons— Pax— Censers— Chrismatories— Altar  and  Pro- 
cessional Crosses— Croziers  and  Mitres— Alms  Dishes- 
Heraldic  Church  Plate — Cuirbouilli  Cases— Pewter  .       .      28 

CHAPTER   III 

Piscina— Sedilia— Easter  Sepulchre— Lectern       ....      60 

CHAPTER    IV 
Screens  and  Rood-lofts 82 

CHAPTER   V 
Pulpits  and  Hour  Glasses .    144 

CHAPTER   VI 
Fonts -Font  Covers— Holy- water  Stoups 160 

CHAPTER  VII 

Alms  Boxes,  Offertory  Boxes,  and  Collecting  Boxes         .       .    240 

CHAPTER   VIII 

Thrones    and    Chairs— Stalls    and    Misericords— Seats    and 

Benches— Pews— Galleries— Church  Chests     .       .       .       .248 

CHAPTER   IX 

Almeries  or  Cupboards— Cope  Chests — Banner-stave  Lockers  .    308 


X  ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

CHAPTER   X 

PAGE 

The  Lights  of  a  Church 320 

CHAPTER   XI 
Church  Libraries  and  Chained  Books 331 

CHAPTER   Xn 
Church  Embroidery 34i 

CHAPTER   Xni 
Royal  Arms— Ten  Commandments 35 1 

GENERAL   INDEX 359 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS  IN  THE  TEXT 

PAGE 

Leg  of  Altar  Table,  Dinton,  Bucks .        .        .14 

F.  Roe. 
Altar  Table,  St.  Dunstan's,  Canterbury 15 

B.  C.  Boulter. 
Chalice,  Wyke,  Wilts 30 

From  Nightingale's  Church  Plate  of  Wilts. 
Paten,  Buckhorn  Weston,  Dorset 32 

From  Nightingale's  Church  Plate  of  Dorset. 
Bracket  with  suspended  Pyx  and  Canopy '39 

Viollet  le  Due,  Dictionnaire  du  Mobilier. 
Pyx  and  Canopy,  closed 40 

Ditto. 
Pyx  and  Canopy,  open 41 

Ditto. 
Dove-shaped  Pyx 42 

Ditto. 
Canopy,  Wells 45 

J.  Charles  Wall. 
Cruet,  St.  Peter  Port,  Guernsey 46 

Ditto. 
Pax,  New  College,  Oxford 50 

Ditto. 
Chrismatory,  St.  Martin's,  Canterbury 52 

Ditto. 
Piscina  Shaft,  Tollerton,  Notts 61 

Ditto. 
Angle  Piscina,  Blyford,  Suffolk 62 

Ditto. 
Piscina,  Ditchfield,  Wilts 63 

Ditto. 
Piscina,  Cowling,  Suffolk 64 

Ditto. 
Piscina,  Trumpington,  Cambs 65 

Ditto. 
Piscina,  North  Marston,  Bucks 65 

Ditto. 


xii  ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

PAGE 

Piscina,  Treborough,  Somerset 66 

Clifford  Perkins. 

Piscina,  Crawley,  Hants '    .        .66 

J.  Charles  Wall. 
Sedilia,  Monyash,  Derbs 69 

V.  M.  M.  Cox. 
Sedilia,  Ilkeston,  Derbs 69 

Ditto. 
Sedilia,  Sandiacre,  Derbs 71 

Ditto. 
Sedilia,  Tideswell,  Derbs .         •       7i 

Ditto. 
Sedilia,  Kirk  Hallam,  Derbs -72 

Ditto. 
Sedilia,  Southwold,  Suffolk 72 

Ditto. 
Sedilia,  Rotherham,  W.  R.  Yorks 73 

Ditto. 
Easter  Sepulchre,  Arnold,  Notts.        .        .        .         .         .        .        .        .76 

J.  Chades  Wall. 
Stone  Screen,  Chelmorton,  Derbs 143 

Ditto. 
Pulpit,  St.  Paul's,  Truro 145 

V.  M.  M.  Cox. 
Pulpit-bracket,  Walpole  St.  Andrew,  Norfolk .146 

Ditto. 
Pulpit,  Mellor,  Derbs 147 

Ditto. 
Hour  Glass  and  Stand,  Bloxworth,  Dorset 157 

J.  Charles  Wall. 
Pulpit  and  Hour  Glass,  Pilton,  N.  Devon 157 

Ditto. 
Font,  St.  Martin's,  Canterbury 167 

B.  C.  Boulter. 
Font,  Sutton  Bonnington,  Notts 173 

J.  Charles  Wall. 
Font,  Orston,  Notts I75 

Ditto. 
Font,  Wirksworth,  Derbs .176 

M.  E.  Purser. 
Font,  Mevagissey,  Cornwall 190 

J.  Charles  Wall. 
Font,  Bodmin,  Cornwall       .        .        .        .        .— 190 

Ditto. 
Font,  Puddletown,  Dorset i97 

Ditto. 
Font,  Haddon  Chapel,  Derbs 233 

Ditto. 


LIST   OF    ILLUSTRATIONS  xiii 

i  PAGE 

Font  Crane,  St.  Alphege's,  Canterbury 234 

R.  C.  Boulter. 
Font  and  Cover,  Canterbury  Cathedral 234 

Ditto. 
Stoup,  Harlton,  Cambs. 236 

J.  Charles  Wall. 
Stoup,  Endellion,  Cornwall 237 

Ditto. 
Stoup,  Wootton  Courtney,  Somerset 238 

M.  E.  Purser. 
Stoup,  Lastingham,  N.  R.  Yorks 239 

J.  Charles  Wall. 
Alms  Box,  Blythburgh,  Suffolk 240 

Ditto. 
Alms  Box,  Watton,  Norfolk  .        .  241 

Ditto. 
Offertory  Box,  Bridlington,  E.  R.  Yorks 244 

M.  E.  Purser. 
Collecting  Box,  Holy  Trinity,  Guildford 246 

Surr^  ArchcBological  Society. 
Patriarchal  Chair,  Canterbury 249 

M.  E.  Purser. 
"  Chair  of  St.  Augustine,"  Canterbury .        .        .        .         .        .         .        .250 

B.  C.  Boulter. 
Frith  Stool,  Hexham,  Northumberland 252 

V.  M.  M.  Cox. 
Chair,  Little  Dunmow,  Essex 253 

Ditto. 
Bench  End,  Brent  Knoll,  Somerset 263 

A.  Gordon  {Reliquary). 
Bench,  Winchester  Cathedral 271 

V.  M.  M.  Cox. 
Backless  Benches,  Cawston,  Norfolk '.        .     273 

J.  Charles  Wall. 
Bench,  East  Leake,  Notts 275 

M.  E.  Purser. 
Bench,  East  Leake,  Notts    .        . 276 

Ditto. 
Bench  End,  Broomfield,  Somerset 277 

A.  Gordon  {Reliquary). 
Bench  End,  Monksilver,  Somerset 277 

Ditto. 
Bench  End,  Crowcombe,  Somerset 278 

Ditto. 
Bench,  Send,  Surrey 280 

Surrey  Archceological  Society, 
Canopied  Pew,  Madeley,  Hereford s 286 

J.  Charles  Wall.i 


xiv         ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

PAGE 

Canopied  Pew^  Stokesay,  Salop 287 

V.  M.  M.  Cox. 
West  Gallery,  Cawston,  Norfolk 289 

J.  Charles  Wall. 
Chest,  Rugby,  Warwicks      . 293 

Colonel  Hart. 
Chest,  Chichester  Cathedral .        .    294 

J.  Charles  Wall. 
Chest,  Heckfield,  Hants 295 

Ditto. 
Chest,  York  Minster 298 

F.  Roe. 
Chest,  Cheshunt,  Herts 302 

East  Herts  Archceological  Society. 
Almery,  Rowington,  Warwicks 309 

J.  Charles  Wall. 
Almery,  Carlisle  Cathedral 310 

Ditto. 
Almery,  Wetheral,  Cumberland   . 311 

Ditto. 
Dole  Cupboard,  St.  Albans 313 

F.  Roe. 
Gospel  Lectern  and  Almery,  Chaddesden,  Derbs 314 

V.  M.  M.  Cox. 
Gospel  Lectern  and  Almery,  Spondon,  Derbs 315 

Ditto. 

Cope  Chest,  Wells  Cathedral 317 

J.  Charles  W^all. 
Banner-Stave  Locker,  Barnby,  Suffolk 318 

Norfolk  Archceological  Society. 
Banner-Stave  Locker,  St.  Margaret's,  Lowestoft,  Suffolk    .        .        .        .318 

Ditto. 
Pricket  Candlestick,  Canterbury  Cathedral 323 

M.  E.  Purser. 
Candlestick,  Clapton-in-Gordano,  Somerset 323 

Ditto. 
The  Gloucester  Candlestick,  Victoria  and  Albert  Museum  .        .        .     324 

J.  Charles  Wall. 
Candlestick,  Hackness,  N.  R.  Yorks 326 

Ditto. 
Corona  of  Lights,  St.  Martin  de  Troyes 328 

Viollet  le  Due,  Dictionnaire  du  Mobilier. 
Bishop  Frithstan's  Stole,  Durham 343 

J.  Charles  Wall. 
Frontal,  Steeple  Aston,  Oxon 34^ 

Ditto. 


LIST    OF    PLATES 


Font  Cover,  Ewelme,  Oxen 

From  a  Photograph  by  Mr.  H.  W.  Taunt,  Oxford. 
Altar  Tables,  Powick  and  Evesham,  Worcs. 

R.  H.  Murray, 

Altar    Tables,   Cheddar,   Somerset,   and    Parish  Church, 
Wolverhampton 

Ditto. 

Reredos,  Christchurch,  Hants 

From  a  Photograph  by  Messrs.  Frith,  Reigate. 
Post-Reformation  Chalices,  with  Paten  Covers    . 
St.  Albans  Church  Exhibition. 

Pyx  Cloth,  Hessett,  Suffolk 

Ditto. 

Censers,  Ripple,  Pershore,  and  Langwith    .... 
Ditto. 

Processional  Crosses  ;  15  th  Cent 

Ditto. 

Silver-Gilt  Mitre,  Bishop  Wren 

Ditto. 

Cuirbouilli  Mitre  Case 

Ditto. 
Easter  Sepulchres,  Hawton  and  Sibthorpe,  Notts. 


Pelican  Lectern,  East  Leake,  Notts 

Rev.  S.  P.  Potter. 

Rood  Screen  and  Pulpit,  Harberton,  Devon 

Stone    Screens,     Stabbing    and    Bardfield,    Essex,     and 
Bramford,  Suffolk 

Rood  Screen,  Shoreham,  Kent 

From  Memorials  of  Old  Kent. 

Rood    Screens,   Handborough    and    Charlton-on-Otmoor, 

Oxon 

From  Photographs  by  Mr.  H.  W.  Taunt,  Oxford. 


Frontispiece 
To  face  page       12 

16 

20 

36 

40 

50 

54 

56 

58 

76 
80 

94 

116 
120 

130 


xvi         ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Rood  Screen,  Withycombe,  Somerset  ....     To  face  page      134 

Clifford  Perkins. 

Rood  Screens,  Flamborough  and  Hubberholme,  Yorks.     .  „  142 

Font  Panels,  Farningham,  Kent,  and  West  Lynn,  Norfolk  ,,  168 

Dr.  Alfred  C.  Fryer. 

Fonts,  Ashover  and  Mellor,  Derbs.,  Thorpe  Arnold,  Leics., 

and  Lenton,  Notts „  194 

Guy  Le  Blanc  Smith. 

Fonts,     Great    Kimble,      Bucks,     Bishopsteignton,    and 

Alphington,  Devon,  and  Youlgreave,  Derbs.        .        .  .,  196 

Ditto. 

Font,  Castle  Frome,  Herefords „  200 

Woolhope  Field  Club. 

Font,  Warmley,  Herts .  „  202 

East  Herts.  Archaeological  Society. 

Fonts,  Ashbourne   and    Bakewell,   Derbs.,   and   Burrow- 

on-the-Hill,  and  Waltham-on-the-Wolds,  Leics. .        .  „  206 

Guy  Le  Blanc  Smith. 

Font,  Huttoft,  Lines.    . „  208 

Lincoln  and  Notts.  Archaeological  Society. 

Fonty  Little  Walsingham,  Norfolk ,,  210 

Dr.  Alfred  C.  Fryer. 

Collecting  Box,  Holy  Trinity,  Guildford      ....  „  246 

Surrey  Archaeological  Society. 

Misericords,  Cartwell  Priory,  Lanes.,  and  Screveton  and 

Wysall,  Notts „  258 

Seats  round  Piers,  Sutton  Bonnington,  Notts.     ....  „  262 

Rev.  R.  O.  Yearsley. 

Stall  Ends,  Jarrow,  Durham ,,  270 

Society  of  Antiquaries  of  Newcastle. 
Thirteenth  Century  Chest,  Icklington,  Suffolk    ...  „  292 

From  Reliquary. 

Church  Chests,  Wootton  Wawen  and  Brailes,  Warwickshire  „  306 

Colonel  Hart. 


v1 


ENGLISH   CHURCH    FURNITURE 


CHAPTER  I 

ALTARS— ALTAR   SLABS— ALTAR   RAILS— ALTAR   SCREENS 

OR   REREDOSES 

ALTARS 

THE  altar,  in  the  mediaeval  Church,  was  the  central  object, 
the  one  essential  part  of  the  furniture,  without  which  the 
due  performance  of  worship  was  impossible.  As  a  result 
of  the  Reformation  movement  of  the  i6th  cent.,  only  a  very  few 
of  the  old  stone  altars  are  standing  in  English  churches,  though 
there  are  a  fair  number  of  cases  in  which  the  old  inensa,  or  altar 
slab,  still  remains  in  the  pavement,  or  has  been  restored  to  its 
original  use.  Of  those  that  remain  in  their  original  position,  three 
were  high  altars,  namely,  those  at  Arundel,  Forthampton,  and 
Peterchurch,  whilst  a  few  more  exist  in  the  chapels  or  as  side  altars. 

In  England,  the  altar  was  often  called  Christ's  Board,  or  God's 
Board  in  pre-Norman  days,  and  occasionally  so  for  two  or  three 
centuries  after  the  Conquest.  Wooden  altars  were  in  general  use 
for  the  first  four  or  five  centuries,  and  lingered  on  in  this  country 
till  the  end  of  the  nth  cent.  They  were,  however,  sometimes  of 
wood  down  to  the  very  dawn  of  the  Reformation,  as  can  be 
abundantly  proved  from  old  inventories  and  wills.* 

iElfric,  in  his  celebrated  homily  of  I2th-cent.  date,  speaks  of 
"  Godes  borde  "  and  "  Godes  table."  Lydgate,  in  his  Vertue  of 
the  Masse,  writes  of  the 

"  Altar  called  God's  board." 

*  Among  the  Proceedings  of  the  Alcuin  Club  (1899)  is  a  valuable  tractate  of  Mr. 
W.  H.  St.  John  Hope  on  English  altars,  with  36  pictures  from  illuminated  MSS.  from 
the  loth  to  the  i6th  cents. 
B 


2  ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

The  will  of  John  Raventhorpe,  1432,  priest  of  the  chapel  of  St. 
Martin,  Aldwark,  leaves  a  vestment  to  the  wooden  altar  (altari 
lig7teo)  of  that  chapel.  Erasmus  mentions  a  wooden  altar  as 
standing  in  Canterbury  cathedral.  The  Eastern  Church  still  uses 
wood  for  its  altars. 

In  1076,  the  Council  of  Winchester,  under  Lanfranc  and  the 
papal  legates,  ordered  the  altars  to  be  made  of  stone.  St.  Wulstan, 
Bishop  of  Worcester,  is  said  by  William  of  Malmesbury  to  have 
demolished  numerous  wooden  altars  throughout  his  diocese,  and  to 
have  constructed  and  consecrated  others  of  stone.  One  of  the 
formal  visitation  questions  of  the  Dean  and  Chapter  of  St.  Paul's, 
when  inspecting  the  various  churches  ^of  their  peculiars  in  Essex 
and  Hertfordshire  in  the  1 3th  cent.,  was  whether  the  altars  were 
made  of  stone  and  duly  consecrated. 

The  vast  majority  were,  however,  of  stone,  and  severely  plain. 
A  large  slab  of  freestone  or  marble,  bevelled  on  its  under  surface, 
and  marked  above  with  five  crosses,  was  generally  in  this  country 
supported  on  a  built-up  pedestal  of  stone ;  less  frequently  it 
rested  on  four  or  five  legs,  as  at  Forthampton,  whilst  sometimes, 
in  the  case  of  small  altars,  the  table,  as  at  Belper,  was  supported  on 
brackets. 

The  original  old  altar  at  St.  Mary's,  Forthampton,  is  very 
simple,  consisting  of  five  pieces  of  stone,  namely,  a  pillar  or  leg, 
6  inches  square,  at  each  corner,  and  a  mensa  or  slab  on  the  top  of 
them.  The  height  is  2  feet  10  inches,  and  the  dimensions  of  the 
table  are  :  length,  5  feet  3 J  inches  ;  breadth,  2  feet  3  inches  ;  thick- 
ness, 5J  inches.  The  upper  edge  is  left  square,  and  the  lower 
bevelled  off  to  the  extent  of  2\  inches. 

The  existing  altars,  or  their  obvious  traces,  are  found  most 
frequently  in  side  chapels  or  chantry  chapels,  occasionally  on 
either  side  the  entrances  to  chancels,  in  crypts,  vestries,  or 
sacristies,  and  one,  at  Gloucester  cathedral,  in  a  triforium  gallery. 

In  Warkworth  Hermitage,  Northumberland,  the  one  stone  altar 
not  overthrown  in  the  county  in  the  i6th  cent,  is  still  in  position  ; 
it  has  a  plain  sunk  moulded  panel  in  front ;  the  dedication  crosses 
are  not  now  visible. 

At  Abbey  Dore,  Herefordshire,  is  a  side  altar,  supported  on 
three  stone  legs,  supposed  to  be  of  Norman  date. 

The  I3th-cent.  chapel  of  St.  John  Baptist,  Belper,  retains  the 
original  small  altar  below  the  east  window.     The  slab,  on  which 


ALTARS  3 

one  of  the  consecration  crosses  still  remains,  is  supported  by  two 
projecting  brackets.  The  mensa  measures  3  feet  6  inches  by  i  foot 
9 J  inches,  and  is  2  feet  7  inches  high.  The  chapel  of  the  Pyx,  at 
Westminster,  has  a  plain  solid  altar  of  the  time  of  Henry  III. 
In  the  I4th-cent.  sacristy  chapel,  on  the  north  side  of  the  chancel, 
of  Claypole,  Lines.,  there  is  an  altar  slab  in  situ. 

The  north  chapel  of  Northleach,  Glos.,  has  the  original  stone 
altar  in  situ.  The  altars  of  the  Lady  chapels  of  Shotteswell  and 
Warmington,  Warwicks.,  are  supported  on  brackets  ;  whilst  those 
of  the  north  chapels  of  Chipping  Norton  and  Asthall,  Oxon.,  rest 
on  stone  legs.  In  the  undercroft  of  Bedale  church,  Yorks.,  is  a 
small  altar,  resting  on  a  window-sill. 

At  Bengeworth,  Worcs.,  and  at  Enstone,  Oxon.,  are  solid  side 
altars  of  i5th-cent.  date,  both  of  which  are  figured  in  Parker's 
Glossary ;  in  the  latter  case  the  slab  has  disappeared.  The  altar 
which  remains  in  the  Lady  chapel  of  Christchurch,  Hants,  has  a 
slab  of  Purbeck  marble.  The  side  altar  of  Titchborne  church,  in 
the  same  county,  has  a  wooden  mensa  with  a  Latin  cross  in  slight 
relief  on  the  surface  ;  it  is  of  Elizabethan  date,  and  was  secretly 
used  for  mass.  In  the  small  north  chancel  chapel  (vestry)  of 
Tintagel,  Cornwall,  is  a  good  example  of  an  undisturbed  solid 
altar. 

The  old  altar  stone  has  been  restored  to  its  place  in  the  tiny 
chapel  of  St.  Laurence,  of  Dunster  parish  church. 

In  the  two  hospital  chapels  of  St.  Anne's  and  St.  Mary 
Magdalene's,  Ripon,  are  the  old  stone  altars  ;  the  former  rests  on 
two  stone  legs  or  supports,  whilst  the  latter,  which  is  7  feet  7 
inches  long  by  3  feet  5  inches  wide,  and  2  feet  1 1  inches  high,  is 
solid. 

Small  original  altars  are  also  to  be  found  in  the  private  chapels 
of  Broughton  Castle,  Nunney  Castle,  and  the  Prior's  Lodge, 
Wenlock.  The  mensa  at  Broughton  Castle  bears  nine  incised 
crosses.  There  is  a  stone  altar  in  its  original  position  in  the  tower 
chapel  of  St.  Michael,  Penkivel,  Cornwall. 

The  custom  of  marking  altar  slabs  with  five  crosses  is  not  of 
late  mediaeval  origin  as  sometimes  supposed,  for  a  marble  altar 
stone  of  the  6th  cent.,  at  the  church  of  Vouneuil-sous-Biard, 
France,  is  figured  in  the  first  volume  of  Rohault  de  Fleury's  La 
Messe,  Nevertheless,  most  of  the  known  early  examples  bear 
-only  ong  Qx  more  crosses  in  the  front  of  the  mmsa. 


4  ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

At  St.  Benet's,  Cambridge,  is  an  early  altar  stone  with  crosses 
on  the  front  edge,  believed  by  the  Bishop  of  Bristol  to  be  the 
altar  stone  of  the  pre-Norman  church  ;  it  is  described  by  him 
in  vol.  xxi.  of  the  Antiquary. 

English  altars  from  the  12th  cent,  onwards  were,  as  a  rule, 
incised  on  the  mensa  with  five  crosses,  namely,  in  the  centre  and 
at  the  four  angles.  "  In  the  consecration  of  altars,"  said  the  late 
Father  Morris,  when  writing  to  the  Antiquary  in  1890,  "a  little 
fire  is  made  on  each  of  the  crosses.  Five  pieces  of  incense  are  put 
on  each  cross,  and  on  the  lumps  of  incense  a  cross  is  made  of  thin 
wax  taper,  which  is  lighted  at  the  four  ends.  When  the  fire  is 
burnt  out,  the  ashes  are  scraped  away  with  a  wooden  spatula,  but 
as  the  cross  is  incised,  the  melted  incense  runs  into  it  and  remains 
there,  as  the  scraping  is  only  flush  with  the  surface."  The  five 
crosses  seem,  however,  to  have  been  always  cut  in  the  slab  whether 
the  ceremony  of  formal  consecration  was  carried  out  or  not.  Each 
consecrated  altar  required  a  vessel  of  relics  accompanied  by  a 
descriptive  scroll  of  parchment,  on  which  was  also  written  the  name 
of  the  consecrator,  the  date,  and  a  note  as  to  any  indulgence 
granted.  This  vessel  or  case  was  placed  in  a  small  cavity  called 
the  confessio,  or  sepulchrum  altaris,  and  the  cavity  sealed  or  closed 
by  the  bishop  with  a  thin  stone  called  the  sigillum.  Relics  enclosed, 
according  to  Aylifie,  were  regarded  as  essential  ;  but  Lyndwood 
thinks  that  they  were  not  of  the  substance  of  the  consecration. 

It  is  now  the  custom  of  the  Roman  Church,  and  was  sometimes 
the  case  in  England  in  the  later  pre-Reformation  days,  to  prepare  a 
cavity  for  the  reception  of  the  relics  in  the  surface  of  the  covering 
slab,  which  is  cunningly  closed  with  a  well-fitting  piece  of  stone  ; 
this  opening  was  usually  made  in  the  centre  of  the  mensa,  but 
near  the  front  edge  below  the  central  cross. 

A  few  old  altar  slabs  with  such  receptacles  have  been  noticed 
in  England.  The  altar  slab  of  Barnack  stone  in  the  Jesus  chapel, 
Norwich,  now  remounted  on  short  pillars,  has  a  confessio  sealed 
with  a  bit  of  Purbeck  marble.  The  large  altar  stone  now  in  the 
porch  of  Collington,  Cornwall,  shows  the  sealing  cavity.  A  granite 
slab  of  the  Holy  Chapel,  Madron  Well,  Cornwall,  has  a  cavity  in 
the  centre  9  inches  by  8  inches  ;  but  the  "  seal "  has  disappeared. 
The  same  may  be  noted  on  the  altar  slab  of  St.  Robert's  chapel, 
Knaresborough.  Altar  slabs  at  Grantham  and  Westborough  are 
also  said  to  have  relic  receptacles.     One  at  Bolton  Priory,  with  a 


ALTARS  5 

very  shallow  depression  in  the  centre,  has  been  wrongly  named  as 
"  a  sealed  altar  stone  ; "  the  depression  in  this  case  marks  the 
place  where  a  small  post- Reformation  brass  had  been  affixed,  when 
the  old  altar  stone  had  been  used  a^  a  monumental  paver. 

But  the  question  arises — how  is  it  that  so  small  a  fraction  of  the 
large  number  of  undoubted  old  altar  slabs  have  any  such  receptacle  ? 
The  answer  is  twofold.  In  the  first  place,  a  very  large  proportion 
of  such  slabs  are  those  of  side  or  chantry  altars,  which  were 
probably  never  consecrated  ;  and  in  Puritan  fury  what  more  likely 
than  that  the  chief  or  high  altar  known  to  have  sealed  relics 
would  be  specially  attacked  and  broken  up  ?  In  the  second  place, 
and  perhaps  the  more  important,  it  was  a  known  English  custom 
to  deposit  the  relics  in  the  actual  substance  of  the  altar,  and  not 
in  the  mensa.  A  stone  block,  in  which  was  formed  a  small  box  or 
confessio  with  a  stone  lid,  containing  relics  wrapped  in  lead,  was 
found  at  Roche  Abbey.  At  Jervaulx  Abbey,  in  the  front  of  an 
almost  perfect  altar,  is  an  opening  just  beneath  the  centre  of  the 
mensa,  whence  a  square  stone  has  been  moved  which  doubtless 
contained  the  confessio.  Stones  of  a  like  character  to  that  at 
Roche  have  also  been  found  at  Calder  Abbey  and  at  Lanercost 
Priory.  Full  descriptions  of  these  will  be  found  in  the  Proceedings 
of  the  Society  of  Antiquaries,  2nd  ser.  xi.,  and  in  the  third  volume 
of  the  Transactions  of  the  Cumberland  and  Westmoreland  Anti- 
quarian Society, 

In  the  earlier  mediaeval  days  the  relics,  however  diminutive, 
were  often  in  an  important  church  far  too  numerous  to  bear 
enclosing  in  the  actual  mensa,  and  would  certainly  be  embedded 
in  the  substance  of  the  altar  itself  Take,  for  instance,  the  cases 
of  the  dedication  of  two  altars  in  the  great  church  of  Christchurch, 
Hants,  early  in  the  13th  cent. 

On  December  7,  12 14,  Walter,  Bishop  of  Withorne,  dedicated 
an  altar  to  the  honour  of  St.  John  Baptist.  The  relics  placed 
therein  were  exceedingly  numerous,  and  included  parts  of  the 
vesture  and  robe  of  our  Lord  ;  part  of  the  vestments  of  the 
blessed  Virgin  ;  bones  of  St.  John  Baptist  and  of  Sts.  Peter 
and  Paul ;  some  of  the  blood  of  St.  Stephen  ;  bones  of  Sts. 
Laurence,  Blasius,  Victor,  Vincent,  Alban,  Hippolytus,  Polycarp, 
Urban,  Chrysogonus,  and  Holy  Innocents ;  bones  of  the  martyrs 
and  confessors,  Martin,  Julian,  Simplicius,  and  Joseph  of  Arima- 
thea  ;  some  of  the  oil  of  St.  Nicholas,  monk  of  Rome  ;  and  bones 


6  ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

of  the  virgin  saints,  Agnes,  Alice,  Lucy,  Julianna,  Perpetua, 
Margaret,  Agatha,  Barbara,  Beatrice,  and  Martha. 

In  I22I,  Nicholas,  Bishop  of  the  Isles,  dedicated  an  altar  in  the 
same  church  to  the  honour  of  St.  Michael  the  Archangel.  The 
relics  were  remarkably  numerous,  and  included  portions  of 
the  manger  and  cradle  of  our  Lord,  and  of  the  stone  upon  which 
our  Lord  stood  when  speaking  in  the  Temple  ;  fragments  from 
Gethsemane,  from  the  Sepulchre  and  from  Mount  Sion  ;  part  of 
the  vesture  of  the  blessed  Virgin  ;  some  of  the  bones  of  St. 
Columbia  ;  parts  of  the  chasuble  and  altar-pall  of  St.  Remigius, 
and  part  of  the  shroud  in  which  he  rested  400  years  ;  and  a  piece 
of  the  sepulchre  of  St.  Anne,  the  mother  of  the  Virgin. 

It  is  obvious  that  it  would  be  impossible  to  enclose  relics  in 
the  substance  of  bracket-  or  pillar-supported  altars  such  as  have 
been  mentioned,  and  the  slabs  of  several  that  are  extant  have  no 
trace  of  a  confessio.  In  such  cases  it  is,  of  course,  possible,  though 
unlikely  for  ritual  reasons,  that  the  confessio  would  be  placed  in  the 
adjoining  wall  masonry.  But  the  more  likely  explanation,  as  is 
known  to  have  been  the  case  with  various  chantry  altars,  is  that 
there  was  no  consecration  of  the  altar,  but  that  a  portable  super- 
altar  was  used.  The  huge  dioceses  of  mediaeval  England,  and  the 
difficulty  of  locomotion,  made  it  impossible  for  bishops  to  always 
attend  for  the  consecration  of  the  numerous  side  altars  so  often 
multiplied  even  in  our  small  parish  churches,  and  of  the  oratory 
altars  that  abounded  in  manor  houses.  The  difficulty  was  sur- 
mounted by  the  bishop  consecrating  numerous  super-altars.  The 
various  names  for  these  thin  light  altar  stones,  on  which  it  was 
lawful  to  celebrate  mass,  such  as  altave  viaticum,  por tattle,  gesta- 
torium,  lapis  portatilis,  altaria  itineraria,  denote  their  original  use 
on  journeys,  in  camps,  and  at  visitation  of  the  sick.  It  was  also 
considered  necessary  to  use  them  where  the  altar  was  of  wood. 

The  small  Anglo-Saxon  super-altar  from  St.  Cuthbert's  coffin 
has  been  often  described,  and  is  still  preserved  at  Durham 
cathedral.  In  the  parish  church  of  Beckermet,  Cumberland,  is  a 
portable  or  super-altar,  fixed  in  an  oak  frame  within  the  altar  rails. 
It  is  of  red  sandstone,  and  measures  10  inches  by  7J  inches,  and 
is  I  inch  thick  ;  it  bears  five  equal-limbed  consecration  crosses, 
and  is  cracked  across  the  centre. 

A  portable  altar  slab  of  Purbeck  marble,  8|  inches  by  Sfg  inches 
and  I  inch  thick,  found    in    a   chest  at  Abbey  Dore,  Herefords., 


ALTARS  7 

with  a  set  of  vestments,  etc.,  is  now  in  the  Victoria  and  Albert 
Museum.  This  collection  had  probably  been  used  by  an  itinerant 
priest  of  the  unreformed  faith  during  the  time  of  the  Elizabethan 
persecution. 

The  fullest  possible  particulars  are  extant  of  the  foundation  of 
the  two  chantries  of  Crich,  in  Derbyshire,  in  1357  and  in  1368,  down 
to  the  actual  date  of  the  episcopal  institution  and  archidiaconal 
induction  of  each  of  the  first  two  chaplains ;  but  the  new  altars  at 
the  ends  of  the  rebuilt  north  and  south  aisles  (which  took  the  place 
of  those  of  different  dedication  and  earlier  date)  were  not  conse- 
crated. The  inventories,  however,  of  each  chantry  begin  with  the 
entry  of  a  super-altar,  which  had  doubtless  been  duly  consecrated 
by  the  diocesan. 

In  contradistinction  to  such  super-altars  for  practical  use  were 
those  that  pertained  to  great  churches,  and  which  were  probably 
used  at  festivals  on  the  already  consecrated  high  altar  for  purposes  of 
greater  reverence  and  dignity.  These  were  usually  made  of  valuable 
stone  or  set  in  precious  metals  and  jewelled,  as  is  proved  by  a  variety 
of  old  English  inventories.  In  York  cathedral  there  were,  in  1500, 
a  precious  super-altar  of  jasper,  set  in  copper-gilt,  and  two  super- 
altars  of  red  marble  adorned  with  silver.  At  Westminster  Abbey 
there  were,  in  the  14th  cent,  three  super-altars,  two  of  jasper  and 
one  of  marble.  At  Jarrow  the  monks  kept  the  super-altar  that  had 
been  used  by  the  Venerable  Bede,  and  at  Glastonbury  was  an 
ancient  super-altar  so  richly  garnished  that  it  went  by  the  name  of 
"  the  greate  sapphire  of  Glasconberye."  Dr.  Rock,  in  The  Church 
of  Our  Fathers,  gives  much  information  on  this  subject  ;  the  very 
valuable  and  richly  framed  old  super-altar,  of  foreign  workmanship, 
which  belonged  to  Dr.  Rock  and  is  engraved  in  his  work,  is  now 
in  the  Roman  Catholic  cathedral  of  Southwark. 

When  the  old  altars  were  overthrown  at  the  time  of  the  Refor- 
mation, many  of  the  slabs  were  used  in  the  paving  of  the  churches, 
sometimes  on  the  very  site  of  the  stone  altar.  These  may  be 
noticed  up  and  down  the  country,  and  are  usually  easily  recogniz- 
able by  their  more  or  less  distinct  incised  crosses.  It  is  exceed- 
ingly rare  to  find  an  inscribed  altar  stone,  but  at  Camborne  church, 
Cornwall,  is  an  ancient  altar  slab  bearing  these  words  in  incised 
lettering,  Levint  jusit  Jiec  altar e  pro  anima  sua. 

A  word  of  caution  is  necessary  with  regard  to  alleged  altars, 
which  may  be  of  service  to  less  experienced  archaeologists.     In  a 


8 


ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


few  cases  of  early  "  restoration  "  of  the  last  century,  table-tombs 
were  moved  to  the  east  end  of  the  chancel,  and  ignorantly  styled 
"  altars."  A  notable  instance  of  this  occurs  in  the  grand  old  church 
of  Hartland,  in  North  Devon. 

In  this  instance  all  the  guide-books  draw  attention  to  the  stone 
altar  now  in  use.  One  writer  says  that  it  is  the  only  old  stone 
altar  in  its  original  position  and  still  in  use  which  can  be  found 
throughout  all  England  ;  whilst  Kingsleys  Country,  one  of  the  best 
and  most  popular  of  the  local  handbooks,  quietly  assures  its  readers 
that  this  altar  dates  from  the  "  Saxon  times."  In  reality  it  is  a 
beautifully  carved  table-tomb  of  I4th-cent.  date  (of  the  kind  often 
wrongly  termed  altar-tombs)  moved  to  the  parish  church  from  the 
adjacent  abbey.  It  was,  of  course,  never  intended  for  an  altar,  for 
which  purpose,  both  by  association  and  size,  it  is  singularly  unfit. 


ALTAR   SLABS 

The  following  is  a  list  of  some  of  the  places  where  the  old  altar 
stones  still  remain — 


Abergavenny 

.     Mons. 

Abbey  Dore 

.     Herefords. 

Adderbury  (vestry) 

.     Oxon. 

Alverscot     . 

j> 

Arundel  (4)  . 

.     Sussex. 

Aston  .         .         .        . 

.     Staffs. 

Aston  Rowant 

.     Oxon. 

Bardney 

.     Lines. 

Barnby  Dun 

.     W.  R.  Yorks. 

Bedale           .         .        . 

.     N.R.  Yorks. 

Beighton  (in  use)  . 

.       ' .     Derbs. 

Belper  . 

'         *         j> 

Birts-Morton 

.     Worcs. 

Bishop's  Cleave  (3) 

.     Glos. 

Bishop's  Stortford  . 

.     Herts. 

Bolton  . 

.     Yorks. 

Bottesford     . 

.     Lines. 

Brancepeth    . 

.     Durham. 

St.  Breward  . 

.     Cornwall. 

Bridgnorth     . 

.     Salop. 

Brixton 

.     I.  of  Wight. 

Broadwater  . 

, 

.     Sussex. 

Burford  (vestry)     . 

.     Oxon. 

ALTAR   SLABS 


of  brass) 


in 


Burghwallis   . 

Burton  Dassett 

Burton  Joyce 

Callington     . 

Camborne     . 

Cambridge,  St.  Benet's 

Car  Colston  . 

Chipping  Norton  . 

Christchurch 

Claypole 

Cley-next-Sea 

Collingham,  South 

Columb  Major 

Compton 

Cookham  (inlaid  crosses 

Corton  (altar  ///  situ) 

Cotes-by-Stow  (6  crosses 

Debenham    . 

Dulas   . 

Dunster  (2)  . 

Easington 

Ecclesfield     . 

Edmondbyers 

Ely       ,         .         . 

Enstone 

Forthampton 

Fressingfield 

Garsington    . 

Oilstone 

Gloucester  cathedral  (triforium) 

Grantham 

Great  Hautbois 

Haddon  (2)  . 

Hanworth  (in  use) 

Harpole 

Hemingborough    . 

Highley 

Holdenby 

Horning 

Hougham 


Howden 

Howell 

Kemys  Commander 

Kimpton 


use) 


W.  R.  Yorks. 
Warwicks. 
Notts. 
Cornwall. 

}) 
Cambs. 
Notts. 
Oxon. 
Hants. 
Lines. 
Norfolk. 
Notts. 
Cornwall. 
Surrey. 
Berks. 
Dorset. 
Lines. 
Suffolk. 
Herefords. 
Somerset 
Oxon. 
Staffs. 
Durham. 
Cambs. 
Oxon. 
Glos. 
Suflfolk. 
Oxon. 
Herts. 
Glos. 
Lines. 
Norfolk. 
Derbs. 
Norfolk. 
Northants. 
Yorks. 
Salop. 
Northants. 
Norfolk. 
Kent. 
Yorks. 
Lines. 
Mons. 
Hants. 


lO 


ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


Kinsham 

.     Herefords. 

Lackford 

.     Suffolk. 

Larling 

.     Norfolk. 

Legbourne     . 

.     Lines. 

Leigh-on-Mendip 

.     Somerset. 

Lenham 

.     Kent. 

Long  Ashton 

.     Somerset. 

Longbridge  . 

.     Wilts. 

Madron  Well 

.     Cornwall. 

Maidstone 

.     Kent. 

Middleton     . 

.     Lanes. 

Mid-Littleton 

.     Worcs. 

Mildenhall     . 

.     Suffolk. 

Mishay  (2)     . 

. 

.     Herefords. 

Moreton-on-Lugg  . 

5> 

Mowsley 

Leics. 

Newland  (5) 

.     Glos. 

Normanby     . 

.     N.  R.  Yorks 

Normanton-on-Soa 

r  (replaced) 

.     Notts. 

North  Somerton 

.     Lines. 

North  Wotton 

.     Dorset. 

Norwich  cathedral,  Jesus  chapel     . 

.     Norfolk. 

Norwich,  St.  Stephen      .         .         .         . 

» 

Ovingdean 

.     Sussex.    . 

Oxford,  St.  Giles    .... 

.     Oxon. 

Penkevel 

.     Cornwall. 

Peterchurch  (3) 

.     Herefords. 

Poundstock  ..... 

.     Cornwall. 

Probus 

» 

Rame 

» 

Ranceby 

.     Lines. 

RatcUffe-on-Soar  (replaced)    . 

.     Notts. 

Repton 

.     Derbs. 

Ripon   ...... 

.     Yorks. 

Sale       .         .         .         .         . 

.     Norfolk. 

Sandwich 

.     Kent. 

Selmeston      .         .          .         .         .         . 

.     Sussex. 

Shaugh 

.     Devon. 

Sheffield 

.     Yorks. 

Shottiswell 

.     Warwicks. 

Shrewsbury,  St.  Mary     . 

.     Salop. 

Sigglesthorne  (churchyard)      . 

.     E.  R.  Yorks. 

Solihull  (crypt  of  vestry) 

.     Warwicks. 

Stanton  St.  John 

. 

.     Oxon. 

ALTAR  SLABS 


II 


aced) 


Swineshead    . 

Tangmere 

Tarring  Nevill 

Terrington,  St.  Clement 

Tewkesbury  . 

Theddlethorpe  (2)  (repl 

Thurgarton  (in  use) 

Tickenham    . 

Tideswell 

Tintagel 

Titchborne    . 

Todbere  (in  use)  . 

Toddington  . 

Tong     . 

Tywardreath  (replaced) 

Uffington 

St.  Veep 

Warrnington  (vestry) 

Waterbeach  . 

Wells  (Vicar's  College) 

Westborough 

Westham  (in  use)  . 

Weston 

Weston  Longueville 

Whaplode 

Wheatfield     . 

Whissendine  . 

Whitwell  (2) 

Wiggenhall    . 

Wintringham  (in  use,  south  chapel) 

York,  All  Saints     . 

„     St.  Michael-le-Belfry 


Lines. 
Sussex. 

Norfolk. 

Glos. 

Lines. 

Notts. 

Somerset. 

Derby. 

Cornwall. 

Hants. 

Dorset. 

Beds. 

Salop. 

Cornwall. 

Lines. 

Cornwall. 

War  wicks. 

Cambs. 

Somerset. 

Lines. 

Sussex. 

Norfolk. 

Lines. 

Oxon. 

Rutland. 

Northants. 

Norfolk. 

E.  R.  Yorks. 

Yorks. 


The  size  of  the  mensa  differed  considerably.  Thus  the  high  altar 
stone  which  has  been  restored  to  use  in  the  chancel  of  Ratcliffe-on- 
Soar,  Notts.,  measures  7  feet  i  \  inches  long  by  2  feet  9  inches  broad  ; 
the  thickness  is  6  inches,  and  it  has  a  chamfered  edge.  In  the 
neighbouring  church  of  Normanton-on-Soar  there  is  a  much 
smaller   altar   stone,   5   feet   by  2  feet  6  inches ;   it  is,  however, 

6  inches  thick,   and  has,  like  the  one  at  Ratcliffe,  a  chamfered 
edge.      At  Car  Colston,  in  the  same  county,  there  is  an  altar  slab 

7  feet  6  inches  by  2  feet  6  inches.     The  old  altar  slab  of  Kinsham, 
Herefords.,  is  said  to  be  of  the  great  size  of  9  feet  by  4  feet. 


12  ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

The  Elizabethan  injunction  of  1559  with  respect  to  altars  has 
been  often  misunderstood,  and  more  often  misquoted,  in  an 
endeavour  to  prove  the  illegality  of  stone  altars  in  the  post- 
Reformation  Church.     It  runs  as  follows  : — 

"  Whereas  her  majesty  understandeth,  that  in  many  and  sundry  parts 
of  the  realm  the  altars  of  the  churches  be  removed,  and  tables  placed  for 
the  administration  of  the  Holy  Sacrament,  according  to  the  form  of  the  law 
therefore  provided;  and  in  some  places,  the  altar  be  not  yet  removed, 
upon  opinion  conceived  of  some  other  order  therein  to  be  taken  by  her 
majesty's  visitors ;  in  the  order  whereof,  saving  for  an  uniformity,  there 
seemeth  no  matter  of  great  moment,  so  that  the  Sacrament  be  duly  and 
reverently  aministered ;  yet  for  observation  of  one  uniformity  through  the 
whole  realm,  and  for  the  better  imitation  of  the  law  in  that  behalf,  it  is 
ordered  that  no  altar  be  taken  down,  but  by  the  oversight  of  the  curate  of 
the  church  and  the  churchwardens,  or  one  of  them  at  least,  wherein  no 
riotous  or  disordered  manner  to  be  used.  And  that  the  Holy  Table  in 
every  church  be  decently  made,  and  set  in  the  place  where  the  altar  stood^, 
and  there  commonly  covered,  as  thereto  belongeth." 

From  this  it  is  clear  that  the  injunction  permits  but  does  not 
order  the  removal  of  stone  altars.  Stone  altars  remained  in  the 
Chapels  Royal  and  in  several  of  the  cathedrals.  In  1626  a  stone 
altar  was  again  set  up  in  Durham  cathedral,  and  at  Worcester  by 
the  dean  in  1634.  In  1662  Bishop  Racket  consecrated  a  stone 
altar  at  Foremark,  Derbs.  Instances  of  their  revived  use  in  the 
1 8th  and  19th  cents,  are  quite  common,  as  at  Gotham,  Notts., 
Canons  Ashby,  Northants,  and  a  score  or  two  of  other  examples. 

Nevertheless,  in  the  vast  majority  of  cases  tables  or  altars  of 
wood  were  substituted  for  tables  or  altars  of  stone.  In  the 
churches  that  were  not  under  the  immediate  influence  of  the 
foreign  strain  of  Puritanism,  great  care  was  taken  that  the  altar 
tables  should  be  of  honest  and  fine  workmanship.  Not  a  few 
beautifully  wrought  Elizabethan  altar  tables  still  remain.  They 
are  usually  characterized  by  the  legs  having  great  bulbous  bosses 
richly  carved,  and  by  the  ornamental  sculpture  of  the  rails  below 
the  actual  table  and  those  that  unite  the  legs  near  the  base. 

There  are  fine  examples  of  the  bulbous  or  "  melon  "  legs  to 
holy  tables  at  Blyford,  Suffolk,  Breadsall,  Derbs.,  and  at  Dinton, 
Bucks.  The  last,  which  is  dated  as  late  as  1606,  is  well  illus- 
trated and  described  by  Mr.  Roe  in  his  Old  Oak  Furniture.  He 
considers  it  to  be  "  a  strikingly  fine  piece,  of  noble  proportions." 


I'OWICk',    WORCESTERSHIRE 


I 


EVESHAM,    WORCESTERSHIRE 

ALTAR  TABLES 


ALTAR   SLABS  13 

On  the  surface  of  this  table  is  incised,  Francis  Huntts  geven  by 
the  youth  of  Upton.     Upton  is  a  hamlet  of  Dinton  parish. 

At  Woodborough,  Notts.,  the  Elizabethan  altar  table,  with  good 
bulbous  legs,  measuring  70  inches  by  28^  inches,  has  a  long  Latin 
inscription  stating  that  it  was  the  gift  of  John,  son  and  heir  of 
Robert  Woode  of  Lamley,  Recorder  of  Newark.  At  Halam  in  the 
same  county  is  another  excellent  table  of  this  date  ;  it  measures 
6  feet  by  32  inches,  and  is  3  feet  6  inches  high. 

The  holy  table  of  Townstal,  Devon,  is  a  unique  example  of 
Elizabethan  carving.  The  four  legs  take  the  form  of  somewhat 
imaginative  beasts  ;  there  are  drawings  of  this  table  in  the  Sketch 
Book  of  the  Architectural  Association  (ist  series,  vol.  iii.). 

At  Sunningwell,  Berks.,  is  a  rich  example  of  the  carving  of 
an  Elizabethan  altar  table,  which  was  probably  executed  when 
Bishop  Fowle  was  incumbent.  In  the  disused  chancel  of  Omber- 
sley  church,  Worcs.,  is  another  good  example  of  an  early  table 
of  this  period.  It  is  7  feet  ij  inches  long,  2  feet  6  inches  wide^ 
and  2  feet  10 J  inches  high.  The  carved  bosses  of  the  legs  are 
9  inches  in  diameter.  Round  the  frame  of  the  table  runs  the 
inscription  in  capitals —  Whosoever  eateth  and  drinketh  tmworthily 
is  guilty  of  the  Body  and  Blood  of  onr  Lord.  There  is  no  date, 
but  as  Lord  Sandys  gave  the  altar  vessels  still  in  use  to  this 
church  in  1572,  it  is  practically  certain  that  the  altar-table  is  of 
the  like  date. 

Among  other  good  examples  those  of  St.  Thomas,  Oxford  ; 
Ringstead,  Northants  ;  Weston  Zoyland,  Somerset  ;  Broadwas, 
Worcs.  ;  Lapworth,  Knowle,  and  Rowington,  Warwicks. ;  and 
Abingdon  and  Dorchester,  Oxon.,  may  be  mentioned. 

At  Haddenham,  Cambs.,  the  massive  Elizabethan  altar  table 
stands  on  seven  legs  ;  whilst  another  good  one  of  the  like  period, 
at  Orwell  in  the  same  county,  is  supported  by  two  legs  and 
brackets.  There  is  a  highly  elaborate  altar  table  at  Minehead, 
Somerset,  originally  designed,  perhaps,  for  secular  use ;  the  local 
idea  that  it  came  out  of  the  Armada  is  obviously  absurd. 

The  earlier  Jacobean  tables  took  a  rather  simpler  form,  and 
though  the  legs  were  slightly  bulbous,  the  bosses  remained  plain. 
The  rails  of  the  table  were  usually  well  ornamented,  and  occa- 
sionally inscribed  with  the  names  of  the  donors  and  dates  or 
suitable  texts,  throughout  the  17th  cent.  The  good  Jacobean 
table,  however,  of  Dinton,  Bucks.,  though  dated  1606,  retains  most 


14 


ENGLISH   CHURCH    FURNITURE 


of  the  Elizabethan  characteristics.  The  Isle  of  Wight  offers 
several  good  examples.  There  are  early  Jacobean  altar  tables 
with  bulbous  legs  at  Arreton,  Godshill,  and  Whitwell ;  the  upper 
table  rail  of  Godshill  is  inscribed  Lancelot  Coleman,  and   that  of 

Whitwell,  Twil  take  the  Cup  of  Salva- 
.  ..^  ^^.^^      Yarmouth  and  Gatcombe  are 

of  later  Jacobean    date  ;    the  latter 
bears  Prayse ye  the  Lord. 

Evesham  church  affords  a  good 
specimen  of  the  better  class  of  altar 
tables  of  the  later  Elizabethan  and 
Jacobean  style.  The  Evesham  table 
bears  round  the  upper  rails,  All  good 
Christians  [part  covered  up]  to  imi- 
tate this  her  godly  devotion  tozvards 
the  Church  both  in  life  and  death, 
Margaret  Hay  late  of  this  Parish 
1610. 

The  communion  table  of  Burton 
Bassett,  Bucks.,  has  well-turned  legs 
and  carved  rails  with  the  date  and 
initials  "  1618  J.  G."  The  altar  table 
of  Aston-on-Trent,  Derbs.,  bears  on 
the  rail.  Ex  dono  Johannis  Hunte, 
1630,  anno  cetatis,  35,  also  the  crest 
of  a  bugle-horn.  Two  Cornish  altar 
tables  were  the  gift  of  the  Mohun  family ;  that  of  Boconnoc  is 
inscribed.  Made  by  me  Sir  Raynold  Mohun,  1629,  and  that  of 
Lanteglos-by-Fowey  bears  the  arms  of  Mohun  and  the  words. 
The  gift  of  Baranet  Mohun  to  the  Parishe,  1634.  The  carved  altar 
table  of  North  Elmham  church,  Norfolk,  was  made  by  Francis 
Floyd,  parish  clerk,  1605-51.  It  bears  date  1622,  and  is  inscribed, 
Christus  vera  vita. 

The  uninscribed  and  undated  ones  of  general  i/th-cent.  date 
are  pretty  well  distributed  throughout  the  country,  and  are  far  too 
numerous  to  mention  ;  they  have  usually  been  discarded  to  the 
vestry,  to  a  side  aisle,  or  beneath  the  tower. 

At  Powick,  Worcs.,  is  an  example  of  the  "telescope"  altar 
table.  When  closed,  it  stands  9  feet  3  inches  long,  and  2  feet 
9  inches  wide,  but  it  draws  out  to  16  feet.     It  is  quite  obviously 


LEG  OF  THE  TABLE   IN   DINTON 
CHURCH,   BUCKS 


ALTAR   SLABS  15 

of  later  date  than  the  battered  Elizabethan  legs  and  frame  on 
which  it  now  stands.  It  is  almost  certainly  of  Commonwealth 
date,  and  came  into  being  after  the  suppression  of  the  Prayer-book, 
and  the  issue  of  the  Directory  of  Worship  in  1644.  When  used  it 
would  be  brought  out  into  the  church  and  fixed  on  trestles,  and 
the  communicants  would  sit  round  it.  There  are  two  of  these 
telescope  or  slide  tables  in  the  church  of  All  Saints,  Hereford,  and 
another  at  Upper  Donhead,  Wilts. 

The  altar  of  St.  Dunstan's,  Canterbury,  is  a  most  remarkable 
and  well-finished  example  of  a  late  Elizabethan  or  early  Jacobean 
walnut-wood  table,  turned  at  a  later  date  into  the  telescopic  form. 
It  is  supported  by  nine  legs  of  a  plain  bulbous  character,  there  are 
three  in  a  line  in  the  centre,  then  a  single  one  at  each  side  of  them, 
and  two  at  each  end.  The  meiisa  is  5  feet  8  inches  long,  but  it  has 
two  leaves  or  wings  that  draw  out  at  each  end,  giving  it,  when 


ALTAR   TABLE,    ST.    DUNSTAN's,    CANTERBURY 

extended,  a  total  length  of  10  feet  8  inches.  These  leaves  are 
an  obvious  addition  of  a  later  date,  and  would  be  added  under 
the  Puritan  rule  of  the  Commonwealth  and  Directory  of  Publick 
Worship,  when  the  participants  at  the  love-feast  seated  themselves 
round  the  extended  "  board." 

The  discarded  altar  table  of  the  parish  church  of  Cheddar  is 
a  particularly  rich  example  of  carving.  It  is  of  small  size,  being 
4  feet  8  inches  b}^  2  feet  2  inches,  and  stands  2  feet  7 J  inches  high. 
The  top  was  originally  loose.  The  churchwardens'  accounts  for 
163 1  contain  an  entry,  "It.  Thomas  Smith,  for  a  new  Table  Board 
XXVJ-."  In  the  same  year  the  wardens  received  3^.  4^.  for  "an 
olde  Table  Borde."  It  has  usually  been  assumed  that  163 1  is  the 
date  of  this  beautiful  carving  ;  but  it  could  not  possibly  have  been 
done  for  2^s.  The  table-board  of  the  accounts  probably  only  refers 
to  the  oak  slab  or  mensa  proper ;  the  carved  work  of  legs  and  frame 


i6  ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

seems  to  go  back  to  the  previous  century.  This  altar  table  now 
stands  in  the  vestry  ;  the  cumbersome  thing  beneath  it,  shown  in 
the  photographic  plate,  is  the  gas-meter. 

Particular  interest  attaches  to  the  old  altar  table  in  the  great 
church  of  Wolverhampton,  on  account  of  the  reference  made  to  it 
in  a  sermon  by  Henry  Burton,  a  noted  Puritan,  which  he  preached 
in  St.  Matthew's  church,  Friday  Street,  Cheapside,  in  1636.  In 
haranguing  against  prelacy,  he  said — 

"  What  prescription  can  that  Cathedral  (?  Collegiate)  Church  at  Wolver- 
hampton, in  Staffordshire,  plead  for  her  goodly  costly  new  Altar,  with  the 
dedication  thereof,  within  these  two  or  three  years  last  past,  in  which 
dedication  all  the  Roman  rites  were  observed,  as  censings,  washings, 
bowings,  copes  (though  but  borrowed  from  Lichfield)^  chantings,  abusing 
of  Scripture  to  prove  dedication  of  Altars  and  the  like  ?  " 

The  top  of  this  table  and  the  sort  of  dog-tooth  mouldings  on 
the  lower  rail  are  comparatively  modern,  but  "said"  to  be 
reproductions  of  the  old  work. 

At  Holy  Trinity,  Coventry,  the  elaborate  old  altar  table,  of 
great  size,  being  9  feet  6  inches  in  length,  is  still  in  use.  The  city 
annals  record,  in  1635  :  "  Edmund  Owen,  Mayor  :  in  his  year  the 
High  Altar  was  set  up  in  Trinity  Church  and  cost  a  deal  of 
money." 

After  the  Restoration  the  altar  tables  were  replaced  in  their 
proper  position  against  the  east  wall  of  the  chancel.  Thus,  in 
Evelyn's  Diary  for  1661,  we  read — 

"  6  April..  Being  of  the  vestry  in  the  afternoon  we  order'd  that  the 
communion  table  should  be  set  as  usual  altarwise,  with  a  decent  raile  in 
front  as  before  the  Rebellion.'* 

In  many  instances  the  Churchmen  preferred  to  have  new  holy 
tables,  and  hence  there  are  many  dated,  and  still  more  undated, 
examples  of  the  reign  of  Charles  II.  The  altar  table  of  Shorwell, 
I.  of  Wight,  has  the  date  1660  ;  and  that  of  Eckington,  Worcs., 
1663.  The  handsome  holy  table  of  Mainstone,  Salop.,  bears : 
/.  B.y  N.  P.,  IV.,  1673  ;  and  the  well-carved  example  at  Kirk 
Ireton,  Derbs.,  Thomas  Haywood,  1679. 

There  are  also  various  dated  examples  later  in  the  century, 
such  as  that  of  South  Petherton  church,  Somerset,  which  has 
small  pillar  legs  and  the  date  1698. 


CHEDDAR,   SOMERSET 


PARISH   CHURCH,   WOLVEUHAMPTON 

ALTAR  TABLES 


ALTAR   RAILS  17 

The  table  of  Cubberley  church,  Glos.,  has  twisted  legs,  a  style 
that  prevailed  towards  the  end  of  the  17th  cent. 

In  a  fair  number  of  cases,  stone  altars,  or  stone  or  marble 
slabs  resting  on  iron  brackets,  were  introduced  in  the  i8th  cent,  to 
take  the  place  of  the  wooden  tables. 

At  Steane  church,  Northants,  a  costly  communion-table  of 
marble  is  inscribed.  The  gift  of  Nathaniel  Lord  Crewe y  Lord 
Bishop  of  Durham. 

In  1726,  a  large  marble  slab,  resting  on  handsome  wrought-iron 
brackets,  was  placed  in  the  rebuilt  nave  of  All  Saints',  Derby. 

Other  examples,  cited  by  Bloxam,  are  Bulkington,  Warwicks.  ; 
Loughborough  and  Welham,  Leics. ;  and  Chesterton,  Hants. 

ALTAR  RAILS 

When  chancel  screens  were  the  invariable  rule  of  the  Church, 
there  was  no  need  for  altar  rails.  It  was  probably  the  custom  to 
place  kneeling  benches  for  the  use  of  infirm  or  aged  communicants 
at  the  time  of  Mass,  and  thereon  would  be  placed  the  houseling 
cloth,  as  is  still  the  case  at  Wimborne,  Dorset. 

The  necessity  of  rails  across  the  chancel,  a  little  way  in  advance 
of  the  altar  pace,  began  to  become  apparent  in  Elizabethan  days  in 
cases  where  the  rood-screens  or  their  gates  had  been  removed. 

At  Gatcombe,  I.  of  Wight,  were  a  set  of  handsome  altar  rails 
in  their  proper  place,  of  i6th-cent.  date,  bearing  the  inscription, 
/  ivill  wash  mine  hands  in  innocency  so  will  I  compasse  Thine  altar 
O  Lord.  Create  in  me  a  clean  heart  0  God  and  renew  a  right  spirit 
within  me.  By  a  distressing  piece  of  bad  taste,  these  rails  have 
been  cut  up,  and  used  at  the  top  of  a  make-shift  screen. 

There  is  a  prevalent  but  quite  erroneous  idea  that  altar  rails 
did  not  come  into  use  until  the  time  of  Laud.  On  the  contrary, 
they  were  in  general  use  in  early  post-Reformation  days,  save  where 
the  Puritans,  who  were  practically  non-conformists  all  round, 
managed  to  hold  the  benefices.  Williams,  Archbishop  of  York, 
when  a  Lincolnshire  minister,  published  a  treatise  in  1636,  called 
The  Holy  Table,  Name  and  Thing.     Therein  he  observes — 

'^Throughout  all  the  Diocese  I  live  in,  being  no  small  part  of  the 
kingdom,   there   is   rails  and   barricades   to   keep   the   people   from   all 
irreverence  .  .  .  and  so  it  was  well  done  by  the  Reformed  Church  in 
Poland  in  1573." 
c 


i8  ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Lincoln  diocese  then  included  the  counties  of  Lincoln,  Leicester, 
Northampton,  Huntingdon,  Bedford,  and  part  of  Herts.  The 
passage  cited  clearly  does  not  refer  to  rails  that  had,  as  a  rule, 
been  recently  erected. 

Bishop  Wren,  of  Norwich,  in  his  primary  visitation  in  1636, 
put  plainly  one  of  the  chief  necessities  for  having  altar  rails, 
ordering  that  "  the  Rayle  be  made  before  the  Communion  Table 
reaching  Crosse  from  the  North  wall  to  the  South  wall,  neere  one 
yarde  in  height,  so  thick  with  pillars  that  doggs  may  not  gett  in." 
In  1638,  it  was  found  at  Lympenhoe  that  "  the  railes  before  the 
Communion  Table  were  so  wide  that  dogs  might  go  through." 

The  altar  rails  of  Flintham  and  Elton,  Notts.,  are  clearly  of 
earlier  work  than  Laud's  days  ;  the  former  are  probably  late 
Elizabethan. 

Various  churchwardens'  accounts  of  the  reigns  of  Elizabeth  and 
James  I.  name  altar  rails.  There  are  also  some  dated  examples 
prior  to  Laud's  injunctions. 

At  St.  Gregory's,  Norwich,  they  were  erected  in  1623  when 
"  vj  greatt  posts  and  42  pillars  "  were  provided  to  serve  as  rails 
for  "ye  high  Altar."  Weever  in  his  Funeral  Monuments,  printed 
in  163 1,  mentions  that  the  vicar  and  wardens  of  Stow-by- Walton 
"  about  eight  years  agoe,  in  making  a  Raile  about  the  Communion 
Table,  pulled  downe  the  Toomb  of  William  Spelman  Esq.  to 
make  roome  for  the  Raile  and  Communicants."  In  the  Calendar  of 
State  Papers,  under  the  year  1632,  there  is  a  specimen  of  some 
scurrilous  verses  written  against  the  parson  of  St.  Nicholas, 
Colchester,  for  having  railed  in  the  communion  table. 

At  Maids-Moreton,  Bucks.,  the  altar  table  is  dated  1623,  and 
the  altar  rails  were  undoubtedly  erected  at  the  same  time  ;  whilst 
at  Burton  Dassett,  Warwicks.,  where  the  altar  table  with  well- 
turned  legs  bears  the  year  161 8,  there  used  to  be  rails  of  the  same 
date.  The  rails  across  the  chancel  of  the  little  church  of  Barton-le- 
Street,  Yorks.,  were  inscribed  The  Guifte  of  John  Slingsby,  16 10; 
they  disappeared  when  the  church  was  rebuilt  in  1870.  The  altar 
rails  of  Langley  Marsh,  Bucks.,  are  dated  1625. 

Altar  rails  that  may  fairly  be  termed  Laudian,  or  of  the  latter 
part  of  Charles  I.'s  reign,  still  remain  in  situ  in  some  churches  up 
and  down  the  country  ;  but  the  "  restoration  "  fever  of  last  century 
is  responsible  for  the  destruction  of  many  handsome  and  seemly 
examples,  which  were  infinitely  more  dignified  and  useful  than  the 


ALTAR    RAILS  19 

cast-iron  standards  and  oak  or  brass  rail  of  modern  church  furnishers. 
Among  churches  where  Laudian  rails  are  to  be  noticed  in  their 
proper  place  may  be  mentioned  Froyle  and  Winchfield,  Hants ; 
Ratcliffe-on-Soar  and  Langar,  Notts. ;  Knipton,  Leics.  ;  Kings- 
thorpe,  Northants  ;  Lingwood  and  Burlingham  St.  Edmund,  Norfolk  ; 
Studley,  Warwicks. ;  Hunsdon,  Herts ;  and  St.  Martin,  Talland, 
and  Lanteglos,  Cornwall. 

But  where  Laudian  rails  are  still  extant  in  our  churches,  they 
have  usually  been  moved  and  put  to  some  more  or  less  foolish  and 
inappropriate  use.  Thus  at  Potter  Heigham,  Norfolk,  they  have 
been  cut  in  two  and  placed  in  front  of  the  quire  seats  ;  whilst  at 
Monk  Sherborne,  Hants,  they  have  quite  lately  been  taken  out  of 
the  chancel  and  re-erected  in  front  of  the  ringers'  platform  at  the 
west  end  of  the  church.  These  rails  exist  in  the  Northampton- 
shire churches  of  Duddington,  Creaton,  and  Gretton,  but  in  each 
case  put  to  some  inappropriate  use  ;  whilst  at  Wellingborough,  in 
the  same  county,  a  good  set  of  Laudian  altar  rails  may  be  seen  in 
front  of  a  music  gallery  in  a  public-house  singing-room  ! 

By  far  the  most  elaborate  and  beautiful  Laudian  altar  rails 
are  those  of  Winchester  cathedral.  By  a  most  unfortunate  lack 
of  good  taste,  these  rails  have  been  moved  from  before  the  high 
altar  and  are  now  to  be  seen  in  the  Lady  chapel. 

With  regard  to  the  position  of  the  altar  rails,  there  are  various 
ofificial  presentments  of  Puritan  clergy  extant  made  by  church- 
wardens early  in  the  17th  cent,  among  the  archidiaconal  records 
at  Ely  and  Chelmsford,  objecting  to  rails  being  placed  round 
three  sides  of  the  "altar,"  instead  of  across  the  chancel  from 
north  to  south.  In  the  Laudian  days  archidiaconal  and  episcopal 
instructions  for  rails  being  placed  across  the  chancel  are  common. 
In  one  or  two  cases  the  three-sided  rails  have  survived,  of  which 
there  is  an  excellent  example  at  Poynings,  Kent.  At  Ermington 
church,  Devon,  the  Communion  Table  is  six  or  seven  feet  from 
the  east  wall  and  surrounded  by  massive  bulbous  balustrades, 
c.  1600.  At  Dartmouth,  until  recently,  the  altar  was  actually 
surrounded  with  seats,  and  a  like  Puritan  survival  remained  at 
Deerhurst  and  at  Winchcombe,  Glos.,  until  about  1870.  At 
Langley  chapel,  Salop.,  now  disused,  the  Puritan  arrangement  with 
seats  round  the  Holy  Table  is  still  extant  ;  it  is  so  illustrated  by 
Bloxam  (iii.  175). 

When   episcopal  rule   was   restored   in    1660,  various  churches 


20  ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

were  re-supplied  with  rails.  A  common  design  of  this  period  is 
the  spiral  rail.  Rails  temp,  Charles  II.  of  this  character  are  met 
with  here  and  there,  more  particularly  in  the  west  of  England. 
They  may  be  noticed  at  Long  Sutton  and  Bramley,  Hants  ; 
at  Thurne,  Norfolk  ;  at  Cubberley,  Glos.  ;  and  at  the  four 
North  Devon  churches  of  Parkham,  Bradworthy,  West  Putford, 
and  Milton  Damerel.  By  some  experts  in  furniture,  it  is  con- 
sidered that  this  spiral  treatment  is  later  than  the  time  of 
Charles  IT.,  and  the  spiral  rails  of  Lewknor  church,  Oxon.,  which 
were  dated  1699,  are  cited  as  evidence.  We  believe,  however,  that 
the  fashion  prevailed  from  1660  onwards. 


ALTAR   SCREENS   OR   REREDOSES 

It  was  usual  if  not  invariable  to  place  behind  the  altar  some 
special  background,  whether  hangings  of  drapery,  paintings  on 
wall  or  panel,  or  some  sort  of  erection  of  masonry.  The  earliest 
existing  English  reredoses  are  the  mural  paintings  on  the  west  faces 
of  the  piers  in  the  nave  of  St.  Albans,  of  Norman  date,  and  the 
two  well-known  stone  reliefs  at  Chichester  of  the  same  period  were 
probably  intended  to  serve  the  like  purpose  ;  but  most  of  the 
existing  altar  screens  belong  to  the  second  half  of  the  14th  cent, 
or  later  periods. 

In  cathedrals  and  great  monastic  or  collegiate  establishments, 
the  reredos  to  the  high  altar  generally  stood  free,  but  in  parish 
churches  and  in  chapels  and  behind  minor  altars  the  wall  itself 
was  treated  as  the  reredos,  sometimes  architecturally,  in  other 
cases  by  drapery  or  paintings.  For  purpose  of  description  these 
reredoses  may  be  divided  into  those  of  stone  and  those  of  panel, 
whether  English  or  otherwise. 

Masonry  reredoses  were  either  free  standing  or  attached. 

The  Free  Standing  may  be— 

Retahles  or  High  Altar  Screens. — Of  these  there  are  six 
good  examples  still  existing  in  England,  namely,  those  at 
Winchester,  St.  Albans,  Southwark,  Ottery  St.  Mary,  Christ- 
church,  and  Milton.  They  resemble  the  Spanish  retables,  and 
may  be  adopted  from  those  of  that  country,  or  more  probably  may 
have  suggested  them.  These  screens  are  all  alike,  in  that  they 
consist  of  lofty  walls  of  masonry  enriched  with  tabernacle  work, 
but  of  the  six,  those  of  Winchester  and  St.  Albans  are  the  finest 


REREDOS,   CHRIST  CHURCH,   HANTS 


ALTAR   SCREENS    OR    REREDOSES        21 

examples.  These  are  almost  exactly  alike,  and  are  no  doubt  by 
the  same  artist:  both  have  the  great  central  cross,  and  the  same 
niche  arrangement,  and  in  both  the  great  niches  are  separated  by 
niches  adorned  by  tabernacle  work.  In  each  case  there  are  two 
doors,  one  on  each  side  of  the  altar.  The  statues  are  all  modern. 
The  example  at  St.  Saviour,  Southwark,  is  very  similar,  but  some- 
what smaller  and  flatter  in  treatment ;  it  is  plainer,  not  possessing 
the  tabernacle  work  between  the  niches,  and  the  place  of  the 
central  cross  is  filled  by  a  niche  ;  its  three  tiers  are  separated  by 
cornices  of  angels  ;  the  similar  cornice  which  crowns  the  whole  is 
modern.  That  at  Christchurch  is  smaller,  but  equal  in  design  to 
any  :  it  has  the  advantage  of  preserving  most  of  its  sculpture,  all  the 
figures  in  the  small  niches  and  the  great  central  group,  representing 
the  tree  of  Jesse,  being  ancient ;  like  the  previous  example,  it  has 
two  doors.  That  at  Ottery  is  earlier  in  date  than  any :  it  is  smaller 
and  without  doors ;  it  has  below  a  row  of  panels  and  above  three 
very  broad  niches  separated  by  tall  compositions  of  tabernacle 
work  and  finished  by  a  projecting  cornice,  enriched  by  armorial 
bearings,  and  crested.  The  example  at  Milton  is  similar  in  size 
and  proportion,  but  its  architectural  treatment  is  different ;  it  bears 
an  inscription  with  the  date  of  its  erection,  A.D.  1492. 

The  Ottery  example  is  attributed  to  Grandison  {c.  1350);  the 
others  all  date  from  about  1500. 

In  Southwark,  Milton,  and  Christchurch  the  screen  is  set  back 
to  the  eastern  extremity  of  the  presbytery,  at  Winchester  and  Ottery 
it  stands  one  bay,  and  at  St.  Albans  a  bay  and  a  half  forward. 

Similar  in  effect,  though  not  in  construction,  is  the  reredos  at 
All  Souls'  College,  Oxford,  where  the  east  wall  is  covered  from 
floor  to  roof  with  tabernacle  work. 

The  Lozv  Free-standing  Reredos. — The  altar  screen  at  West- 
minster, separating  the  presbytery  from  the  Confessor's  Chapel, 
is  similar  to  the  members  of  the  last  group,  except  in  height ;  it 
is  earlier  in  date  than  most  of  the  former,  but  still  Perpendicular, 
probably  about  the  end  of  the  15th  cent.  ;  its  west  face  is  modern, 
but  the  back,  much  shattered,  is  original.  Its  doors  are  large  in 
proportion  ;  it  is  only  one  stage  in  height,  and  has  large  niches 
on  either  side  of  the  doors ;  its  cornice  is  a  band  of  sculpture 
representing  scenes  from  the  life  of  the  Confessor. 

The  rood  screen  at  St.  Albans  also  serves  the  purpose  of  a 
reredos  to  the  nave  altar :  its  arrangement  is  similar  to  the  last ; 


22  ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

it  has  two  doorways  with  panelling  above.  Between  the  doors, 
above  the  altar,  is  a  row  of  panel,  with  a  range  of  seven  lofty  niches 
above,  and  external  to  the  doors  two  similar  niches,  one  on  each 
side  ;  a  light  crested  parapet  covers  the  whole. 

At  Great  Malvern  is  a  reredos  which  is  probably  unique.  It  is 
composed  of  two  walls,  one  forming  the  segment  of  a  circle,  and 
the  other  its  chord,  the  convexity  of  the  curved  position  being 
toward  the  east.  The  actual  reredos  is  formed  by  the  straight 
wall  or  chord.  This  is  quite  flat,  finished  by  a  cresting  and  pierced 
by  two  doors  which  lead  to  the  narrow  enclosed  space.  The  west 
face  of  this  wall  is  completely  covered  with  encaustic  tiles,  and  the 
segmented  portion,  unrelieved  by  carving  or  moulding,  is  also, 
though  not  so  profusely,  decorated  with  tiles. 

At  Beverley  and  Selby  there  are  detached  altar  screens  of  14th- 
cent.  date,  which  resemble  rather  the  solid  or  structural  rood  screens 
in  that  they  are  of  considerable  depth,  and  form  above  roomy 
galleries.  In  each  case  the  posterior  surface  is,  curiously  enough, 
more  beautiful  than  the  anterior,  which,  however,  perhaps  in  neither 
case  shows  its  original  arrangement.  At  Beverley  it  ^is  simply 
panelled,  a  modern  restoration  which  claims  to  be  faithful,  and  the 
panels  have  the  ungraceful  peculiarity  that  they  become  narrower 
toward  the  centre. 

The  Selby  screen  extends  across  the  quire  one  bay  from  the 
east  end,  and  is  returned  westward  on  both  north  and  south  sides  for 
one  bay.  The  treatment  toward  the  altar  is  peculiar.  The  eastern 
and  northern  sides  were  covered  in  the  Perpendicular  period  with 
wooden  presses  for  vestments,  with  sliding  panels  for  doors,  and 
with  a  narrow  locker  for  the  processional  cross,  while  the  south  has 
four  sedilia  with  rich  canopies,  of  the  same  period.  The  arrange- 
ment has  been  altered  recently  on  its  east  face  by  the  introduction 
of  a  modern  carved  reredos. 

These  free-standing  reredoses,  though  very  rare,  are  not  quite 
unknown  in  parish  churches.  Examples  are  to  be  found  at 
Tideswell  and  Sawley,  Derbs.  ;  at  Westleton,  Suffolk ;  and  South 
Petherton,  Somerset. 

Open  Reredoses. — At  Durham  the  reredos  is  the  finest  piece  of 
open  tabernacle  work  in  the  kingdom.  It  is  of  late  Decorated  or 
transitional  work  (1373-80),  and  fills  the  arch,  separating  the  quire 
from  the  Nine-altars  to  the  height  of  about  30  feet,  and  is  returned 
from  one  bay  on  each  side  to  form  four  sedilia. 


ALTAR   SCREENS    OR   REREDOSES        23 

Attached  Reredoses. — In  smaller  churches,  and  in  aisles, 
chapels,  and  chantries  of  the  larger  ones,  the  wall  itself  at  the  back 
of  the  altar  was  treated  as  a  reredos,  either  by  arcading,  panelling,  or 
by  a  sculptured  table  let  into  the  wall.  An  early  example  is  to  be 
seen  in  Chichester  cathedral,  where,  in  the  outer  aisle  of  the  nave, 
there  is  a  perfect  though  small  example  of  Early  English  arcading, 
and  traces  of  two  others.  The  finest  example  is  at  the  east  end 
of  Bristol  cathedral.  It  presents  three  lofty  masonry-work  ogee 
heads,  crocketed  and  foliated,  the  interior  enriched  with  gilt  diaper. 
They  are  separated  by  canopied  niches  or  panels,  the  spandrels 
occupied  by  armorial  shields,  finished  by  a  carved  cornice  with  light 
open-work  rail ;  this  dates  from  the  beginning  of  the  14th  cent., 
but  was  not  finished  till  c.  1500.  Another  fine  example  is  at 
Ludlow,  which  preserves  some  of  its  original  statuary,  and  has  two 
doors  leading  to  an  eastern  sacristry  beyond.  Two  other  15th- 
cent  examples  on  a  large  scale,  preserving  some  of  their  original 
sculpture,  are  to  be  seen  in  the  Lady  chapel  and  in  Tanner's 
chantry  of  St.  Cuthbert's,  Wells.  Other  examples  are  to  be  seen 
in  the  side  chapels  of  Henry  VII.'s  chapel,  Westminster,  in  the 
north  choir  aisle  of  Bristol  cathedral,  and  in  the  Mayor's  chapel 
at  the  latter  city.  At  Sedgeberrow,  Worcs.,  the  reredos  consists 
of  three  large  canopied  niches  extending  the  whole  width  of  the 
five-light  east  window,  the  centre  niche  being  raised  considerably 
above  the  side  ones.  At  Smisby,  Derbs.,  the  centre  of  the  three- 
light  east  window  of  the  chancel,  c.  1 360,  is  filled  up  with  a  canopied 
niche,  apparently  part  of  the  original  design.  A  striking  feature  of 
the  church  of  Great  Billing,  Northants,  is  the  large  niche  in  the  east 
wall  of  the  south  aisle,  between  two  smaller  ones  ;  the  three  niches 
are  surmounted  by  crocketed  ogee  canopies  of  I4th-cent.  date. 
Similar  examples  are  found  at  Solihull,  Oxford  St.  Michael,  and 
various  other  churches.  A  simple  but  very  elegant  and  perhaps 
unique  arrangement  is  that  at  Clapton-in-Gardano,  Somerset. 
This  is  of  the  I5th-cent.  date,  but  early  English  capitals  are  very 
happily  used  in  it.  It  consists  of  a  shelf  running  right  across  the 
chancel,  supported  by  a  slender  circular  shaft  on  each  side  of  the 
altar,  whose  caps  and  bases  are  well-carved  Early  English  capitals. 
Above  the  shaft  the  shelf  is  brought  forward  to  form  brackets  for 
two  candlesticks,  which  fortunately  survive. 

In  several  churches  are  to  be  found  tables  of  stone  sculptured 
in  relief,  which  were  probably  intended  as  reredoses.     They  are 


24  ENGLISH   CHURCH    FURNITURE 

generally  of  alabaster,  often  coloured  and  gilded,  and  of  1 5th-cent. 
date,  but  they  occur  at  all  periods,  the  earliest  being  the  two  well- 
known  Norman  panels  at  Chichester.  Other  important  examples 
are  those  of  Long  Melford,  Suffolk  ;  Yarnston,  Oxon. ;  and 
Wellington,  Somerset,  the  last  now  in  the  Taunton  Museum.  The 
pietas  of  Breadsall  and  Battlefield  may  have  served  as  reredoses 
to  side  altars. 

Panels  or  fragments  of  panels  of  sculptured  alabaster,  the 
majority  of  which  have  doubtless  formed  parts  of  reredoses, 
exist  in  many  other  churches  ;  several  of  them  have  been  found 
during  recent  restorations.  Dr.  Bensly  described  the  three 
remarkable  series  of  sculptured  alabaster  panels  at  Norwich 
((i)  Bishop's  palace,  (2)  church  of  St.  Peter  Mancroft,  (3)  church 
of  St.  Stephen)  in  Norfolk  Archceologia,  xi.  352-8.  Mr.  St.  John 
Hope,  in  1890,  gave  a  thorough  paper  on  the  alabaster  panels  of 
St.  John  Baptist's  Head  {Archceologia,  Hi.  669-708).  Additional 
examples  occur  at  the  churches  of  Buckenham,  East  Rudham, 
and  Mulbarton,  Norfolk ;  Milton  and  Whittlesford,  Cambs. ; 
Bark  way,  Herts  (remains  of  two  groups)  ;  Freckenham,  Suffolk  ; 
White  Waltham,  Berks.  ;  Broughton,  W.  R.  Yorks.  ;  and  Lost- 
withiel,  Cornwall.  All  the  mediaeval  worked  alabaster  came  from 
Chellaston,  Derbs. ;  it  seems  to  have  been  chiefly  carved  at 
Nottingham.  At  the  British  Museum  are  a  considerable  number 
of  these  old  English  alabaster  panels,  tables,  or  retables ;  they 
include  three  Heads  of  St.  John  Baptist,  three  Holy  Trinities, 
and  one  each  of  the  following  subjects :  Annunciation,  Nativity, 
Adoration  of  Magi,  Last  Supper,  Flagellation,  Resurrection, 
Assumption,  Coronation  of  B.V.M.,  Destruction  of  Sodom,  Martyr- 
dom of  a  King,  and  two  differently  treated  Dooms.  There  are  also 
at  the  Museum  the  lower  halves  of  three  broken  panels  of  small 
alabaster  subjects  of  superior  finish,  which  were  found  in  the  church 
of  Kettlebaston,  Suffolk,  in  1883. 

Wooden  reredoses  are  rarer,  but  painted  panels  used  for  the 
purpose  are  to  be  found  at  Westminster,  Gloucester,  Norwich 
cathedral,  and  at  the  church  of  SS.  Simon  and  Jude  in  the  same 
city,  at  Winchester,  Romsey,  and  a  few  other  places. 

"The  most  beautiful  thirteenth-century  painting  in  England," 
says  Mr.  Lethaby,  in  his  charming  Westminster  Abbey  and  the 
King's  Craftsmen  (1906),  "is  the  Westminster  altar  retable,  now  in 
the  Jerusalem   Chamber.     It  is  decorated  with  glass  inlays  and 


ALTAR   SCREENS   OR   REREDOSES       25 

jewels,  and  is  made  to  resemble  a  piece  of  enamelled  gold 
work." 

Mr.  Lethaby  pronounces  this  reredos — termed  by  him  retable — 
to  be  English  work.  In  the  midst  stands  our  Lord  in  majesty 
between  the  Blessed  Virgin  and  St.  John.  The  small  intermediate 
panels  contain  beautifully  executed  miniatures  of  the  miracles. 
One  of  the  end  panels  represents  St.  Peter,  and  the  other  one,  now 
destroyed,  was  probably  St.  Paul.  The  field  between  the  panels  is 
beautiful  gesso  work.  It  was  probably  wrought  by  Master  Waller, 
"  King's  painter  "  to  Edward  I. 

The  panel-painted  Norwich  reredos,  c,  1380,  is  of  remarkable 
interest  and  of  undoubted  English  workmanship.  It  is  8  feet 
6\  inches  long  by  2  feet  \o\  inches  in  height.  It  was  found  in  the 
cathedral  church  about  1850,  having  been  long  in  use,  in  a  reversed 
position,  as  a  table  top.  The  paintings  represent  five  scenes  in  the 
life  of  our  Lord,  namely,  the  Scourging,  the  Carrying  of  the  Cross,  the 
Crucifixion,  the  Resurrection,  and  the  Ascension,  with  raised  grounds 
of  gesso  work.  The  frame  is  decorated  with  some  banners  of  the 
probable  donors,  or  in  commemoration  of  some  more  substantial 
offering  made  by  them.  The  banners  include  those  of  Bishop 
Henry  le  Despenser,  Stephen  Hales,  Sir  Thomas  Morieux,  and 
others  who  were  concerned  in  suppressing  the  great  insurrection 
of  138 1.  It  is  not  therefore  unreasonable  to  suppose  that  the 
reredos  was  a  thankoffering.  There  is  a  facsimile  of  this  in  the 
Victoria  and  Albert  Museum. 

The  triptych  form  is  very  rare  in  this  country,  but  examples 
are  to  be  found  at  Sherborne  (hospital  chapel),  Burford,  Salop., 
and  St.  Cross,  Winchester.  The  great  wooden  figure  still  existing 
at  Abergavenny  was  part  of  the  sculptured  reredos  representing  the 
tree  of  Jesse. 

At  the  east  end  of  the  north  chancel  chapel  of  Worstead, 
Norfolk,  are  two  large  pedestals  for  images.  The  altar  pace 
between  them  retains  its  original  elevation.  Above  where  the 
altar  stood  is  the  delicately  painted  wooden  framework  of  a  former 
reredos,  a  most  interesting  and  unusual  survival. 

There  are  a  few  old  instances  of  a  shelf  behind  the  altar — 
termed  in  modern  days  a  retable — remaining  in  English  churches. 
At  Grantham  there  is  a  low  stone  shelf,  5  J  inches  wide,  and  6  inches 
above  it  is  another  shelf  in  the  window-sill.  At  the  east  end 
of  the    south  aisle  of  Cold   Overton  church,   Leics.,  there  is  an 


26         ENGLISH   CHURCH    FURNITURE 

altar  shelf  enriched  with  moulding  and  carving,  and  clearly  intended 
to  be  seen.  There  are  remains  of  a  shelf  over  the  chantry  altar 
within  the  grate  of  the  tomb  of  Henry  VII.,  in  his  chapel  at  West- 
minster Abbey. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  reredoses — it  makes  no  claim  to  be 
exhaustive — arranged  under  counties  : — 

Beds. — Arlesey,  Blunham  (sculptured  panels  preserved  at  the  rectory), 
Eaton  Bray. 

Berks. — Ardington  (north  aisle),  Drayton,  Fifield. 

Cambs. — Ely,  Lady  Chapel,  Harlton. 

Chester. — At  Bunbury,  two  altar  pieces  or  reredoses  came  to  light 
during  restoration  in  1865.  The  one  in  the  north  chapel  is  10 
feet  long,  and  has  a  frieze  of  carved  foliage  9  inches  deep;  the 
other  in  the  south  chapel  is  a  mural  painting,  7  feet  4J  inches  long 
and  8  inches  high,  representing  Christ  rising  from  the  tomb. 

Derbs. — Sawley^  Tideswell. 

Devon. — Exeter,  Cathedral — Lady  Chapel  and  Chantry  Chapels;  Exeter, 
St.  Mary  Steps,  Ottery  St.  Mary  (retable,  14th  cent.). 

Dorset. — Milton  Abbey  (retable  1492),  Rampisham  (fragment) ;  Sherborne, 
Hospital  (triptych). 

Durham. — Durham  Cathedral,  c.  1380. 

Gloucester. — Bristol,  Cathedral  j  Bristol,  Mayor's  Chapel ;  Gloucester  Cathe- 
dral, (i.)  painted  panel  in  triforium,  (ii.)  Lady  Chapel,  (iii.)  and  (iv.) 
fragments  in  chapels ;  Northleach  (battered  remains  of  an  elaborate 
one,  7  inches  below  and  4  inches  above),  Notgrove. 

Hants. — Christchurch^  (i.)  retable,  (ii.)  in  Lady  Chapel ;  Winchester 
(i.)  retable,  (ii.)  painted  panel  in  feretory,  (iii.)  in  Langton's  Chapel, 
and  (iv.)  in  Wainfleet's  Chantry  ;  Winchester,  College. 

Herefords. — Kynnersley,  sculptured  rood  (oak). 

Herts. — St.  Albans,  retable,  and  several  painted  on  west  faces  of  nave 
piers;  Great  Munden  (south  aisle),  Oxhey  (Jacobean),  Stevenage 
(oak),  Wheathampstead  (north  transept). 

Kent. — Smarden . 

Lines. — Fiskerton. 

J//^^/<?j<?x.— Westminster  Abbey,  St.  Edmund's  Chapel,  Jerusalem 
Chamber. 

Monmouth. — Abergavenny  (colossal  recumbent  statue  of  Jesse,  part  of  a 
Jesse's  tree). 

Norfolk. — Norwich,  Cathedral  (painted  panel  in  Jesus  Chapel) ;  Norwich, 
St.  George  Tombland  (fragment),  St.  Peter  Mancroft,  St.  Simon 
and  St.  Jude  (painted  panel),  St.  Stephen ;  Thurne  (space  for  reredos 
below  east  window),  Worstead  (north  chapel),  Yarmouth  (fragment). 

Northatits. — Caistor,  Chipping  Warden. 


ALTAR   SCREENS   OR    REREDOSES       27 

Notts. — Newark. 

Oxon. — Abingdon  St.  Nicholas,  Adderbury,  Bampton,  Enstone,  Hanwell, 

Chipping  Norton ;  Oxford,  All  Souls'  College,  Magdalen  College,  St. 

Michael's  Church  ;  Somerton,  Yarnton. 
Salop. — Burford  (triptych),  Leintwardine,  Ludlow. 
Somerset. — Axbridge,  Clapton-in-Gordano,  Ilminster,  Wellington  (^.  1400); 

Wells,  St.  Cuthbert's,  Lady  Chapel,  and  Tanner's  Chantry. 
Suffolk. — Long  Melford,  Westleton. 

aS?/;'/'^.— Guildford,  Reigate  (wooden  reredos),  Southwark  (retable). 
Sussex. — Chichester  Cathedral,  Harting. 
Warwicks. — Shottesbrook  (wooden),  Solihull,  (i.)  south  chapel  (of  stone), 

(ii.)  north  chapel  (fragment  of  wood). 
Wilts. — Barham    (Carolean    reredos     of     panelled    oak,    dated     1643), 

Great  Bedwin  (sculptured  panel  in  respond) ;   Salisbury,  Cathedral, 

Lady  Chapel ;  Urchfont  (fragment),  Winterbourne'  Monkton. 
Worcs. — Kidderminster,      Great      Malvern,     Sedgeberrow ;     Worcester, 

Cathedral,  Prince  Arthur's  Chantry,  Refectory.  / 

Yorks. — Beverley    (low    screen    with    gallery),    Pocklington,    Preston-in- 

Holderness  (sculptured,  c.  1350),  Selby  (low  screen),  Sutton,   York 

Minster  (open  screen). 


CHAPTER    II 

CHURCH  PLATE— CHALICE  AND  PATEN— PYX— CRUETS 
AND  FLAGONS  —  SPOONS  —  PAX  —  CENSERS  —  CHRISM A- 
TORIES  — ALTAR  AND  PROCESSIONAL  CROSSES  — CRO- 
ZIERS  AND  MITRES— ALMS  DISHES— HERALDIC  CHURCH 
PLATE-CUIRBOUILLI  CASES— PEWTER 

CHURC^H    PLATE 

ECCLESIASTICAL  Plate  consisted  of  the  Sacramental  Plate, 
namely,  Chalice  and  Paten,  Cruets,  Pyxes  or  Ciboria, 
Censers  and  Incense  Vessels,  the  Pax,  the  Chrismatory, 
the  Altar  Cross  and  Candlesticks,  and  at  a  late  period  the  Mon- 
strance ;  to  these  we  may  add  the  jewelled  bindings  of  the  Service 
books.  All  these  were  for  the  service  of  the  altar,  and  in  addition 
were  Processional  and  other  Crosses,  Croziers  or  Pastoral  Staffs, 
and  Mitres. 

Ancient  inventories  show  how  rich  were  the  cathedrals  and 
larger  parish  churches,  both  in  the  number  and  costliness  of  their 
sacred  vessels,  and  it  is  certain  that  at  the  time  of  the  Reformation 
no  church  was  so  poor  as  not  to  possess  at  least  one  chalice  and 
paten  of  silver  or  silver-gilt,  with  a  seemly  provision  of  the  other 
Instrumenta.  Now  in  the  whole  country  careful  search  has  not 
hitherto  brought  to  light  more  than  about  fifty  old  chalices  and  ninety 
patens,  whilst  of  the  other  objects  which  dropped  out  of  use  or  were 
not  needed  in  the  Reformed  Service,  the  destruction  has  been  nearly 
absolute.  It  is  customary  to  attribute  the  loss  to  the  rapacity  of 
Henry  VI 1 1.,  but  it  was  at  least  his  intention  to  leave  a  sufficiency 
for  the  decent  celebration  of  the  Holy  Communion,  and  this  no 
doubt  was  done  ;  but  during  the  reign  of  his  immediate  successor 
and  of  Elizabeth,!  Puritan  zeal  was  bitter  against  even  "  Mass-Cups." 
In  another  way  the  Reformation  led  indirectly  to  the  loss  of  much 
church  plate,  apart  from  royal  confiscations.    Rather  than  see  their 

28 


CHALICES  29 

valuables  confiscated,  the  vicars  and  wardens  sold  large  quantities 
to  pay  for  repairs,  and,  less  legitimately,  diverted  still  more  to  their 
own  use.  Thus  at  one  church  alone,  at  Devizes,  the  churchwardens 
appropriated  a  cross,  five  chalices,  a  pair  of  candlesticks,  two  censers, 
an  incense  boat  with  spoon,  a  pyx,  two  paxes,  and  two  cruets,  the 
whole  valued  at  the  time  at  £106. 


CHALICES 

Among  the  consecrated  vessels  of  the  Church  the  cup  took  the 
first  place.  Originally  the  chalice  or  cup  was  of  various  materials, 
glass — at  a  time  when  glass  was  rare  and  costly — being  frequently 
used.  Wooden  chalices  were  in  occasional  use  until  the  9th 
cent.  Several  councils  of  that  century  forbade  the  use  of  wood, 
tin,  glass,  and  copper.  ^Ifric's  canons,  however,  of  957  allowed 
wood,  owing  probably  to  the  devastations  of  the  Danes  ;  but  the 
canons  of  King  Edgar,  three  years  later,  ordered  molten  metal. 
In  1222,  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury  forbad  the  use  of  tin  or 
pewter. 

From  the  13th  cent,  downwards,  the  English  mass-cup,  with 
the  rarest  and  most  uncanonical  exceptions,  was  always  of  one 
of  the  precious  metals,  generally  of  silver-gilt,  and  occasionally 
of  gold. 

In  this  country  they  were  always  stately  vessels,  generally  from 
6  to  8  inches  in  height,  and  consisted  of  a  spreading  base,  a  stem 
for  holding,  and  a  bowl ;  almost  invariably  the  stem  presented  a 
swelling  member,  the  knop,  for  convenience  of  handling.  They  are 
generally  richly  decorated,  both  by  engraving  and  in  the  modelling. 

They  have  been  variously  classified,  but  the  simple  system 
adopted  by  Mr.  Cripps  {Old  English  Plate,  9th  ed.,  1906)  is 
sufficient,  namely,  Romanesque  or  Norman,  from  the  earliest 
period  to  about  1350  ;  Gothic,  from  that  date  till  1510  ;  and  Tudor, 
from  1 5 10  till  they  ceased  to  be  made,  at  the  period  of  the 
Reformation.* 

Most  of  the  cups  of  the  first  type  owe  their  preservation  to 
their  having  been  used  as  sepulchral,  or  coffin  chalices.     It  was  the 

*  In  the  Archaeological  Journal  of  1886  (vol.  xliii.),  Mr.  St.  John  Hope  and  Mr. 
Fallow  subdivided  mediaeval  chalices  and  patens  into  a  large  variety  of  types  according 
to  the  form  and  ornamentation  of  the  vessels.  In  the  same  journal  for  1904  (vol.  Ixi) 
there  is  a  supplementary  note  as  to  additional  examples  discovered  since  1886. 


30 


ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


custom,  at  the  interment  of  a  priest,  to  bury  a  chalice  with  him. 
These  were  usually  of  base  metal,  latten  or  pewter,  but  in  the  case 
of  dignitaries  actual  sacramental  chalices  were  sometimes   used 


urrt^ 


WYKE,    WILTS. 


525 


Some  of  these  have  been  recovered.  The  treasuries  of  several  of 
the  cathedrals  possess  one  or  more  of  such  cups,  and  in  at  least 
one  instance,  at  York  Minster,  they  are  in  occasional  use.  The 
members  of  this  group  have   the  bowl  hemispherical,   the    base 


PATENS  31 

circular,  and  the  knop  small  ;  they  are  smaller  than  the  later  cups, 
and  especially  shorter  in  the  stem  ;  they  are  little  ornamented, 
depending  for  their  effect  on  their  graceful  proportion.  All  but 
two  known  to  exist  are  coffin  cups,  and  are  to  be  found  at  Canter- 
bury, York  (3),  Lincoln  (3),  St.  Davids,  Hereford,  Salisbury, 
Exeter,  and  Chichester  (2).  The  two  exceptions  are  the  examples 
from  Berwick  St.  James,  Wilts,  (now  in  the  British  Museum),  and 
the  beautiful  Dolgelly  chalice. 

The  cups  of  the  second  type  are  taller  ;  the  bowl  is  conical,  or 
rather  sugar-loaf  shaped,  the  foot  is  hexagonal,  the  knop  large  and 
elaborate  ;  the  ornament,  which  is  generally  rich,  is  architectural 
in  character ;  the  crucifixion  is  usually  engraved  on  one  side  of  the 
base,  and  sometimes  other  subjects  on  the  other  side.  There  are 
occasionally  small  feet  at  the  angles  of  the  base.  Occasionally  the 
cups  of  this  period  are  severely  plain,  as  in  the  Combe  Pyne  chalice, 
which  is  unusual  in  having  only  a  rudimentary  knop.  There  remain 
about  twenty-one  examples  of  the  second  type,  beginning  with  that 
at  Hamstall  Rid  ware,  c.  1350,  which  is  transitional  from  type  one,  to 
the  Leominster  chalice  of  15 10,  which  has  affinities  with  the  next 
class.  This  last  is  the  largest  of  all  the  specimens  remaining  of 
the  mediaeval  silversmith's  art  in  England. 

The  chalices  of  the  third  type,  Tudor,  generally  resemble  the 
last,  but  the  bowl  is  shallower  and  more  nearly  approaches  the 
hemispherical  form  ;  the  foot  is  a  sexfoil,  or  has  a  wavy  base  ; 
stem  and  knop  elaborate,  the  decoration  being  purely  architectural, 
the  character  late  Gothic,  but  with  sometimes  an  admixture  of 
renaissance  ornament.  There  is  generally  an  inscription  round  the 
bowl,  and  sometimes  on  the  base  also,  and  the  underside  of 
the  latter  may  be  engraved.  These  cups  are  usually  over-elabo- 
rated ;  the  most  simple,  as  it  is  the  most  beautiful,  is  the  chalice  as 
Corpus  Christi  College,  Oxford,  which  is  the  only  gold  cup  of 
English  workmanship  extant.  Ten  examples  in  all  exist  of  this 
type. 

PATENS 

With  the  chalice  was  always  found  the  paten,  a  small,  flat, 
shallow  dish,  circular  in  form,  for  the  reception  and  distribution  of 
the  consecrated  wafer.  Every  chalice  had  its  own  proper  paten, 
of  the  same  material  and  workmanship,  designed  to  form  a  cover, 
and  not,  as  is  sometimes  stated,  a  stand  for  it.     In  old  inventories 


32 


ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


the  term  "  chalice  "  must  always  be  taken  to  include  a  paten.  Most 
of  the  chalices  which  have  been  preserved  are  still  accompanied  by 
their  patens,  but  several  of  the  latter  have  survived  when  their 
cups  have  been  lost.  This  is  especially  the  case  in  the  county  of 
Norfolk,  where,  though  only  a  single  cup  has  remained,  there  are 
no  fewer  than  thirty-four  patens.  It  is  probable  that  the  Puritan 
objection  was  less  to  the  paten,  which  was  used  by  the  laity,  than 
to  the  chalice,  the  exclusive  possession  of  the  priest,  and  no  doubt 
too  it  was  more  easily  concealed.     The  total  number  of  patens  of 


BUCKHORN   WESTON,   DORSET,    C.    1520-30 


undoubted  English  workmanship  is  ninety-one,  and  a  few  more  may 
still  be  discovered. 

All  patens,  of  whatever  period,  are  circular  plates,  about  6 
inches  in  diameter,  with  a  depression  in  the  centre,  either  circular 
or  four-,  six-,  or  eight-foiled.  All  have  a  design  in  the  centre.  Of 
patens  belonging  to  the  first  type,  the  earlier  have  the  Agnus 
Dei  as  the  central  device,  the  later  the  Manus  Dei,  or  hand  in 
benediction.  The  depression  is  either  circular  or  a  quatrefoil, 
rarely  an  octofoil.      The  patens  of  this  type  are  generally  better 


PATENS  33 

in  design  than  the  later  example,  and  the  two  earliest,  those  at 
Wyke,  Wilts,  c,  1200,  and  Worcester,  1266,  are  the  best. 

In  the  second  type  the  depression  is  six-foil,  the  device  most 
usually  the  "  Vernicle,"  or  head  of  Christ ;  in  one  instance,  a  repre- 
sentation of  the  first  and  second  Persons  of  the  Trinity. 

Those  of  the  third  type  resemble  the  last.  Sometimes  the 
sacred  monogram  is  used  as  the  device ;  and  the  inscription  round 
the  rim,  occasional  before,  is  now  habitual. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  pre-Reformation  chalices  and  patens, 
arranged  under  counties. 

C,  chalice;  P.,  paten;  sep.,  sepulchral. 

Berks, — li'arringdon,  Little,  C. ;  West  Challow,  P. 

Chester, — Chester,  Dean  of,  C. 

Cornwall — Anthony,  St.,  C  j  Kea,  C.  and  P.  (foreign). 

Cumberland. — Kirk  Oswald,  C,  P.,  sep. ;  Melmerby,  sep. ;  Whitebeck, 
flagon  (pewter). 

Derhs, — Dronfield,  P. ;  Hartshorne,  P. ;  Shirley,  P. 

Devon. — Cofton,  C. ;  Combe  Pyne,  C,  P. ;  Exeter,  Cathedral,  C.^  P.,  sep.  j 
Ipplepen,  C. ;  Haccombe,  C,  P.,  sep. 

Dorset — Buckhorn  Weston,  P. ;  Combe  Keynes,  C.  j  Sturminster  Mar- 
shall, C. 

Durham. — Hamsterley,  P. ;  Heworth,  P. 

^i-i-^jt:.— Earls  Colne,  P. ;  Waltham,  Great,  P. 

6^/^i-.— Bristol,  All  Saints,  P. 

Hants. — Gatcombe,  C,  P. ;  Sutton,  Bishop's,  P. ;  Wyke,  P.  {c.  1200). 

Herefords. — Bacton,  C,  P. ;  Dorstone,  sep.  in  latten ;  Leominster,  C,  P.  j 
Norton  Canon,  P.  \  Stoke  Prior,  C,  P.  (now  in  South  Kensington 
Museum)  j  Hereford  Cathedral,  C,  P. 

Hufits.^^to^NQ  Longa,  P. 

Kent.—CMQ  at  Hoo,  P. ;  Walmer,  P. 

Lanes. — Claughton,  R.  C.  Church,  C. ;  Hornby,  R.  C.  Church,  C. ;  Leyland, 
R.  C.  Church,  C 

Leics. — Blaston  St.  Giles,  C. ;  Easton,  Great,  P. ;  Radcliffe-on-Wreake, 
R.  C.  Coll.,  P. ;  Syston,  P. ;  Wymeswold,  C.  (original  object  doubtful). 

Lines, — Lincoln  Cathedral,  C.  ii.,  P.  ii. 

Middlesex. — Drayton,  West,  C,  P. 

Norfolk, — Bacton,  P. ;  Barningham,  P. ;  Beachamwell,  P. ;  Beeston-next 
Mileham,  P.;  Beeston Regis,  P. ;  Beighton,  P.;  Brancaster,  P. ;  Caston, 
P. ;  Colby,  P. ;  Cossey,  P. ;  Cromer,  P. ;  Felbrigge,  P. ;  Foxley,  P. ; 
Gissing,  P. ;  Happisburgh,  P. ;  Hansworth,  P. ;  Hockering,  P. ;  Holk- 
ham,  P. ;  Hookham,  Great,  P. ;  Merton,  P. ;  Mundham,  P.  j  Norwich, 
St.  Peter  Mancroft,  C;  Oulton,  P.;  Paston,  P.;  Runton,  P.;  Salle, 

D 


34  ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

P. ;  Soham  Toney,  P. ;  Shernbourne,  P. ;  Suffield,  P. ;  Thurgarton,  P. ; 

Tittleshall,  P. ;  Tuddenham,  North,  P. ;  Tuttington,  P. ;  Wood  Balling, 

P.;  Wymondham,  P. 
Oxon, — Carsington  ;  Oxford,  Brazenose  Coll.,  C.  ii.,  P.  ii. ;  Corpus  Christi, 

C,  P.  (gold) ;  Trinity  Coll.,  C,  P. 
Rutland, — Preston,  P. 
Somerset. — Chewton  Mendip,  C,  P.  (cup  is  secular) ;  Nettlecombe,  C,  P. ; 

Pilton,  P. 
Staffs.— YLdssMsXsXi  Ridware,  C,  P.;  Pillaton  Hall,  C,  P. 
^/z^^//^.— Pakefield,  C. ;  Bedingfield,  P. 
Sussex, — Chichester,  C.  ii.,  P.  ii. ;  Edale,  C  ;  Lodsworth,  C,  P.  j  West- 

boume^  C. 
Warwicks. — Castle  Bromwich,  P. 
Westmoreland. — Hutton,  Old,  C. 
Wilts. — Salisbury,  Cathedral,  C,  P. ;  St.  Edmund's,  P. ;  Berwick  St.  James, 

C.  (now  in  British  Museum) ;  Ebbesbourne,  C,  P. ;  Wylye,  C. 
W^^m.— Dudley,  R.  C.  Church,  C. ;  Worcester,  Cathedral,  P. 
Yorks. — Berwick,  C,  P. ;   Goatland,  C. ;  Hinderwell,  C,  P. ;  Kirk  Ham- 

merton,  P. ;  York  Minster,  C.  iii.,  P.  iii. 

Nothing  suffered  more  grievously  during  the  Reformation 
period  than  the  altar  plate.  After  most  of  the  plate  had  been 
locally  embezzled  or  seized  by  the  crown  as  monuments  of  super- 
stition in  the  earlier  part  of  Edward  VI. 's  reign,  the  covetous  Council 
of  the  boy-king  coolly  decreed,  in  1551,  that  "forasmuche  as  the 
King's  Majestie  had  neede  presently  of  a  Masse  of  Mooney  there- 
fore commissions  should  be  addressed  into  all  shires  of  Englande 
to  take  into  the  Kinges  handes  such  church  plate  as  henceforth  to 
be  emploied  unto  his  Highness  use."  This  commission  swept  every- 
thing, save  a  chalice  and  paten,  bells,  and  a  surplice  or  two,  into  the 
royal  coffers ;  and  where  Puritanism  was  rampant,  even  the  old 
mediaeval  chalice,  with  all  its  beauty,  was  melted  down  to  make 
the  unsightly  Edwardian  cup. 

There  are  but  few  Communion  Cups  of  the  time  of  Edward  VI. ; 
those  that  have  been  identified  as  belonging  to  this  period  are 
seventeen*  in  number,  and  have  been  found  at  Bridekirk, 
Cumberland ;  St.  Clements,  Oxford ;  Hunstanton,  Norfolk ; 
Totnes,  Devon ;  Clapton  and  Houghton,  Northants ;  Repton  and 
Twyford,  Derbs.  ;  St.  Margaret's,  Westminster ;  and  St.  Lawrence 

*  Mr.  Cripps  in  the  9th  edition  of  Old  English  Plate  (1906)  mentions  fifteen,  but 
the  two  Derbyshire  examples,  as  well  as  the  beautiful  mediaeval  paten  at  Dronfield,  were 
not  noted  until  1907.— J.  C.  C. 


PATENS  35 

Jewry,  and  several  other  churches  of  the  city  of  London.  With  the 
exception  of  Bridekirk,  which  may  have  been  originally  for  secular 
use,  the  few  cups  of  this  reign  are  plain  with  bell-shaped  bowls,  and 
a  conical  stem  without  knops. 

In  the  great  majority  of  cases  the  solitary  old  mediaeval  chalice 
and  its  accompanying  small  paten,  that  had  been  spared  during 
the  Edwardian  spoiling,  was  suffered  to  remain  in  use  for  three  or 
four  years  after  the  accession  of  Elizabeth.  But  not  long  after 
the  beginning  of  the  Queen's  reign,  there  was  a  movement  among 
the  leading  reformers  to  substitute  new  cups  for  the  old  chalices. 
The  utilitarian  reason  was  that  the  restoration  of  the  communion 
in  both  kinds  to  the  laity  demanded  a  larger  vessel.  Instances 
of  what  were  termed  cups  as  opposed  to  chalices  occur  as  early 
as  1 561,  at  Biddenden  and  Lyminge,  Kent;  at  Beeford  and 
Ugglebarnby,  Yorks. ;  and  at  St.  Laurence  Jewry,  London.  Kent 
was  the  first  county  where  the  general  substitution  of  the  cup 
for  the  chalice  took  place,  for  a  large  number  of  the  Elizabethan 
cups  of  that  county  date  from  1562.  By  degrees  the  abandonment 
of  the  old  chalice  was  insisted  upon  at  various  episcopal  visitations. 
When  Archbishop  Parker  made  his  metropolitical  visitation  in 
1569,  he  asked,  inter  alia,  "Whether  they  do  minister  in  any  pro- 
phane  cuppes,  bowles,  dishes,  or  chalices  heretofore  used  at  Masse  ; 
or  els  in  a  decent  Communion  cuppe,  provided  and  kept  for  that 
purpose."  In  1571,  Archbishop  Grindal  instituted  a  metropolitical 
visitation  of  the  northern  province  of  York.  His  fourth  injunction 
to  the  clergy  contained  these  words — 

"  And  shall  minister  the  Holy  Communion  in  no  chalice,  nor  any 
prophane  cup  or  glass,  but  in  a  Communion  cup  of  silver,  and  with  a 
cover  of  silver  appointed  also  for  the  ministration  of  the  Communion 
bread." 

In  the  face  of  such  injunctions,  the  wonder  is  that  any  mediaeval 
chalices  or  patens  remain. 

In  the  Elizabethan  chalice  the  form  of  the  old  cup  was 
altogether  changed ;  instead  of  being  a  shallow  wide  bowl,  it 
was  elongated  into  the  form  of  an  inverted  truncated  cone, 
slightly  bell-shaped.  The  form  of  the  paten  was  also  at  the  same 
time  much  changed  ;  the  sunk  part  of  the  platter  was  deepened, 
the  brim  narrowed,  and  a  rim  or  edge  attached,  whereby  when 
inverted  it  fitted  on  the  cup  as  a  cover.     A  foot,  too,  was  added 


S6  ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

to  the  paten,  which  served  as  a  handle  to  the  cover,  and  also  to 
steady  it  in  the  minister's  hand  when  administering  the  bread. 
Although  there  was  considerable  variety  in  these  cups  and  covers, 
the  style  of  ornament  was  almost  invariably  the  same.  It  consisted 
mainly  of  an  engraved  band  or  bands  round  the  body  of  the  cup 
and  on  the  top  of  the  cover,  formed  by  two  narrow  fillets  which 
interlace  or  cross  each  other,  the  space  between  them  being 
occupied  by  a  scroll  of  foliage.  They  vary  in  height  from  Si  to 
8i  inches. 

There  are  a  vast  number  of  Elizabethan  chalices,  many  of 
which  retain  their  paten-covers,  left  in  English  churches  up  and 
down  the  country,  particularly  in  the  west  of  England  and  in  the 
Midlands.  The  old  Somerset  churches  actually  possess  Elizabethan 
plate  in  nearly  half  the  number.  There  are  493  ancient  parish 
churches  and  chapels,  and  in  225  there  are  Elizabethan  chalices 
and  patens,  or  one  or  the  other.  Out  of  about  300  parishes  in 
Dorsetshire,  over  100  retain  their  Elizabethan  cups.  In  Wiltshire 
there  are  70  of  these  cups.  In  Leicestershire  there  are  8^,  33 
of  which  have  their  paten-cover.  Kent  churches  possess  90 
Elizabethan  chalices  and  42  paten-covers.  In  the  diocese  of 
Carlisle  are  37  Elizabethan  chalices,  14  of  which  retain  their  cover. 
Surrey  is  exceptionally  destitute  of  Elizabethan  plate ;  this  wide- 
spread county  only  possesses  27  cups  of  that  reign,  18  of  which 
have  their  proper  cover  ;  there  are  also  two  paten-covers  that  have 
lost  their  cup. 

There  are  a  fair  number  of  Elizabethan  cups  and  covers  in 
Buckinghamshire,  the  majority  of  which  date  from  1569,  the  year 
of  Archbishop  Parker's  injunction  on  the  subject.  Herefordshire 
churches  retain  a  large  proportion  of  Elizabethan  plate,  namely, 
53  chalices  and  39  paten-covers.  But  in  the  north  of  England 
their  occurrence  is  much  rarer ;  there  are  only  7  Elizabethan  cups, 
4  of  which  have  their  paten-covers,  in  the  whole  of  Northumber- 
land, and  they  are  all  of  1570  or  1571  ;  whilst  Durham  has  but 
17  pieces  of  Elizabethan  church  plate  all  told. 

Northamptonshire,  on  the  contrary,  has  a  great  variety  ;  there 
are  97  Elizabethan  cups  (chiefly  of  the  year  1570),  45  of  which 
have  their  paten-covers,  whilst  in  eight  churches  there  are  patens 
lacking  the  cup. 

The  prevailing  date  of  the  Elizabethan  cups  in  different 
counties  clearly  indicates  the  time  when  the  various  bishops  insisted 


u 


PATENS  37 

on  the  order  as  to  the  abandonment  of  the  massing  chalices. 
In  Yorkshire,  Worcestershire,  and  Herefordshire  the  prevailing 
date  is  1570  or  1571  ;  in  Norfolk  and  Suffolk  about  four  years 
earlier ;  but  in  Gloucestershire  and  the  west  of  England  about  as 
much  later. 

Occasionally  the  evidence  of  the  reforming  of  the  mediaeval 
church  plate  on  Elizabethan  lines  is  plainly  evident.  Thus  at 
Little  Birch,  Herefords.,  the  inside  of  the  paten-cover  of  the 
Ehzabethan  chalice,  dated  1 576,  shows  distinct  traces  that  it  was 
made  out  of  the  ancient  flat  paten  ;  on  the  under  side  there  are 
remnants  of  the  old  engravings  and  gilding,  showing  the  faint 
outline  of  the  vernicle  in  the  centre. 

In  a  very  few  cases  parish  churches  possess  beautiful  examples 
of  pre-Reformation  plate  of  a  secular  character,  presented  to  them 
by  generous  donors.  The  two  most  noteworthy  instances  are  the 
singularly  fine  secular  cups  at  Tong,  Salop.,  and  at  Yateley,  Hants. 
A  few  handsomely  ornamented  secular  cups  bearing  Elizabethan 
hall  marks  are  to  be  found  among  church  plate  now  in  use, 
Derbyshire  supplies  two  good  examples.  The  beautifully  engraved 
cup  of  Derwent  Chapel  has  a  great  variety  of  ornamental  figures, 
such  as  a  seal,  a  turtle,  various  fish,  harps,  and  eagles  ;  it  was 
clearly  not  intended  for  ecclesiastical  use  ;  the  date  mark  is  1584. 
The  chalice  at  Kedleston,  1601,  is  a  beautiful  silver-gilt  cup, 
engraved  all  over  with  trefoils,  and  bearing  the  impaled  arms  of 
Penn  and  Leake.  There  are  various  fine  examples  of  early 
I7th-cent.  secular  plate,  in  the  shape  of  standing  cups,  as  at 
St.  Andrews,  Norwich  ;  Linton,  Kent ;  Welland,  Worcs.  ;  Appleby, 
Westmoreland  ;  Westward,  Cumberland  ;  Odcombe,  Somerset ; 
Bodmin,  Cornwall ;  Babbacombe,  Devon  ;  All  Saints,  Oxford ;  and 
Creeting  St.  Mary  and  Playford,  Suffolk. 

In  Archbishop  Laud's  days  an  attempt  was  made  to  revive 
the  shape  of  the  old  mediaeval  chalice,  as  is  shown  by  the  Lambeth 
Palace  chapel  cup  of  1635,  and  by  the  cup  of  the  neighbouring 
church  of  St.  Mary  in  1638  ;  but  the  cups  of  the  latter  part  of 
Charles  I.'s  reign  were  mostly  of  a  heavier  and  plainer  style. 

It  is  not  proposed  to  follow  up  here  the  further  history  of 
English  altar  plate,  but  it  may  be  remarked  that  there  are  some 
instances  in  the  17th  cent.,  in  addition  to  the  days  of  Laud,  in 
which  there  was  a  happy  reversion  to  the  old  English  traditional 
shape  of  hemispherical   bowl,   stem    with   knop,   and   hexagonal 


SS         ENGLISH   CHURCH    FURNITURE 

indented  foot.  The  best  of  all  such  examples  are  to  be  found  in 
Derbyshire,  in  the  beautiful  silver-gilt  chalices  (accompanied  by 
patens  and  flagons)  given  by  Lady  Frances  Kniveton,  second  wife 
of  Sir  Gilbert  Kniveton,  Bart,  of  Bradley,  to  the  adjacent  churches 
of  Bradley,  Kniveton,  Mugginton,  Osmaston,  and  Kirk  Langley, 
in  the  time  of  Charles  II.  Similar  sets  were  also  given  to  Ashbourne 
and  Brailsford,  but  they  have  been  stolen  ;  each  set  cost  £$0. 

The  church  of  Vowchurch,  Herefords.,  has  a  peculiarity 
attaching  to  its  altar  vessels  unshared,  we  believe,  by  any  other 
church  in  England.  It  possesses  a  cup  or  chalice  of  wood  (long 
unused)  standing  7  J  inches  high,  with  a  large  oviform  bowl ;  it 
has  a  short  baluster  stem  and  a  circular  base  with  small  incised 
mouldings ;  on  the  bowl  are  carved  three  birds,  of  different  designs, 
each  within  a  circle.  The  probable  date  is  about  1620,  and  there 
seems  little  doubt  that  it  was  in  use  as  a  sacramental  cup  until 
1693,  when  the  parish  purchased  a  silver  chalice. 

It  was  not  unusual,  in  the  later  mediaeval  days,  to  ask  for  prayers 
for  the  souls  of  the  donors  on  altar  plate.  The  small  amount  of  pre- 
Reformation  plate  left  in  English  churches  affords  four  examples. 
Round  the  hexagonal  foot  of  the  mediaeval  chalice  (1507)  of  West 
Drayton,  Middlesex,  is  the  black-letter  inscription — Oi^ate  pro  aiabus 
Johis  Porpyll  et  Johanne  uxor^ei.  On  the  paten  at  Pilton,  Somerset, 
is  the  following  ungrammatical  legend:  Orate  pro  bono  statu  d  j 
dier  vicarius  hius  loci.  At  Bacton,  Herefords.,  on  the  foot  of 
the  chalice,  is  the  name  John  CapulL  The  Elizabethan  cup  of 
Thornage,  Norfolk,  bears  the  counterpart  of  a  legend  which  was 
evidently  at  one  time  borne  by  the  pre-Reformation  chalice,  it  is 
inscribed — This  is  ye  gyfte  of  John  Bates  and  Margret  hys  wyfe, 
1456,  whych  died  1477  ;  and  on  the  paten-cover  of  this  cup 
appears — The  f ashen  altred  by  L  Staloni,  d.  a°  iS^2>' 

There  are  various  records  as  to  similar  special  inscriptions  on 
altar  vessels  that  are  no  longer  extant ;  it  will  suffice  to  cite  two 
instances.  Lincoln  Minster  possessed  a  chalice  which  had  been 
given  to  that  church  by  William  of  Wykeham  ;  on  it  was  inscribed — 
Memoriale  domini  Willelini  Wikehm.  In  1498,  Anne,  Lady 
Scrope,  of  Harling,  bequeathed  "  To  the  priory  of  Chacombe  a 
chalis  of  iiij",  and  my  husbandes  name  Sir  Robert  and  myn,  upon 
the  foote,  for  a  remembrans  to  pray  for  us." 


PYXES 


39 


PYXES 


Although  there  does  not  seem  to  have  been  a  definite  rule  in 
this  country  as  to  the  place  of  preservation  of  the  Reserved  Sacra- 
ment, the  general  English  usage  was  undoubtedly  to  place  it  in  a 


BRACKET  WITH  SUSPENDED  PYX  (DOVE)  AND  CANOPY 


40 


ENGLISH   CHURCH    FURNITURE 


Pyx,  or  box  of  wood,  metal,  or  ivory,  which  was  then  suspended 
in  front  of  the  Altar,  in  a  hanging  receptacle  usually  termed  the 
tabernacle,  and  sometimes  only  the  canopy. 

A  crane  or  pulley  was  so  arranged  over  the  altar  as  to  permit 
of  the  ready  raising  or  lowering  of  the  pyx,  which  was  suspended 
by  a  chain  or  cord  attached  to  a  ring  on  its  top.  Above  the  pyx 
was  hung  the  canopy,  a  circular  tent-like  construction,  formed  of 
some  costly  fabric,  which  was  generally  attached  to  a  ring  and 
ornamental  crown  of  metal. 

This  custom  of  suspending  the  pyx  was  also  used  in  the  Gallic 
Church,  and  the  accompanying  illustrations  from  French  sources 
explain  the  method  of  suspension,  and  the  nature  of  the  pyx  and 
canopy,  far  better  than  any  mere  verbal  description. 

Pre-Reformation  wills  bear  ample  evidence  to  the  zeal  displayed 
for  the  renewal  and  beautifying  of  the  pyx  canopy.     In  1500  a 
jl  bequest  was  made  to  the  church  of  Walberswick, 

Suffolk,  to  provide  "  a  canope  over  the  hygh  awter 
welle  done  with  our  Lady  and  iiij  aungelys  and  the 
Holy  Ghost  [i.e.  the  dove]  goyng  upp  and  down 
v/ith  a  cheyne."  Faversham  church,  Kent,  pos- 
sessed in  1 5 12  "a  canopy  for  the  Sacrament  of 
crymson  sarsenett  with  knoppis  of  golde  and  tacellys 
of  sylke."  The  pyx  cloth  of  St.  Mary-at-Hill, 
London,  in  1496,  was  fringed  with  gold  and  had 
"  knoppis  of  golde  &  sylke  of  Spaynesshe  mayking." 
Whenever  early  wills  are  consulted  the  devotion  of 
the  faithful  to  any  form  of  enrichment  about  the 
Blessed   Sacrament    becomes  obvious.     Thus,   the 

Cfj[jY\  following   occur  in   a  group   of  Northamptonshire 

!I>J  bequests: — 


.p 


PYX   CANOPY, 
CLOSED 


"  To  mendynge  the  canopye  and  blessed  Sacrament  of 
the  aulter  xii^."  (Holcot) ;  "  towards  the  maintenaunce  of 
a  canopye  over  the  hie  aulter,  iiij^."  (Daventry) ;  "  to  the 
sacrament  of  the  aulter  to  by  a  canopye  xs"  (Great 
Billing) ;  **  a  canope  to  hang  over  the  holy  &  blessyd 
Sacrament"  (Brafield). 


The  references  in  the  highly  interesting  records  of  the  church 
of  St.  Mary-at-Hill  contain  various  references  to  the  repairs  of  the 
pyx  pulley,  the  pyx  rope,  and  the  pyx  plum ;  the  last  of  these  was 


PYX  CT.OTH,    HESSPZTT,   SUFFOLK 


PYXES 


4it 


the  plum  of  lead  which  acted  as  a  counterpoise  to  the  weight  of 
the  suspended  pyx.  In  the  roof  of  the  chancel  of  West  Grinstead, 
Sussex,  there  may  still  be  noticed  a  rude  kind  of  lever-balance  of 
wood,  which  evidently  served  for  the  purpose  of  raising  and  lower- 
ing the  pyx.  Roof-pulleys  in  the  apex  of  the  nave  roof  immediately 
in  front  of  the  chancel  arch  are  to  be  noticed  in  several  churches, 
particularly  in  East  Anglia,  as  at  Wissett,  Ubbeston,  and  Wyverstone. 
These  are  sometimes  wrongly  pointed  out  as  Sacrament  pulleys  ; 


PYX   AND   CANOPY,    OPEN 


but  of  course  in  this  position  they  served  for  the  suspension  of  the 
"  rowell,"  or  circle  of  lights  in  front  of  the  Rood. 

Immediately  over  the  suspended  pyx  there  also  hung  a  white 
cloth  of  fair  linen  or  lawn,  which  had  in  the  centre  a  round  hole  for 
the  passage  of  the  ring  and  chain.  The  churchwardens'  accounts 
of  St.  Mary-at-Hill  for  1529-30  contain  an  entry  of  the  payment 
of  2d.  for  "  wasshyng  and  starchyng  of  the  pix  clothe.'*  There  is 
a  highly  interesting  survival  of  an  English  pyx  cloth  preserved  in 
the  church  of  Hessett,  Suffolk.  It  is  of  a  square  shape,  measuring 
2  feet  4  inches,  made  of  linen,  worked  into  a  pattern  by  the  with- 
drawal of  some  threads  and  the  knotting  of  others.  Around  it  is 
a  silk  fringe  of  rose  and  yellow,  i  inch  wide,  the  colours  alternating 
in  the  space  of  i  J  inch.  At  one  corner  a  gilt  wooden  ball  is  still 
suspended  by  a  tassel  of  silk,  of  the  same  colour  as  the  fringe  ;  the 
other  three  balls  have  become  detached.  In  the  centre  is  a  round 
hole,  more  than  an  inch  wide,  bound  with  silk  ribbon  that  shows 
i  inch  on  each  side.     One  of  the  most  usual  forms  that  the  actual 


42 


ENGLISH   CHURCH    FURNITURE 


pyx  took  in  early  days  was  that  of  a  dove,  which  was  often 
beautifully  made  of  gold  or  silver  and  richly  enamelled.  This 
form  appears  to  have  been  commoner  in  the  Gallican  than  the 
English  Church  ;  but  there  is  a  reference  to  it  in  an  inventory  of 
the  cathedral  church  of  Salisbury  of  the  year  1222.  Bishop  Canti- 
lupe,  of  Worcester,  ordered,  in  1240,  that  the  Eucharist  should  be 
reserved  in  a  pyx  of  silver,  ivory,  or  Limoges  enamel  {de  opere 
Lenovidicd).  An  inventory  of  the  chapel  of  Hurst,  Berks.,  of  the 
year  1220,  makes  mention  of  a  pyx  suspended  over  the  altar  of 
Limoges  enamel.  The  more  usual  English  shape  seems  to  have 
been  of  a  circular  form,  with  dome-cover  surmounted  by  a  cross 
and  ring.  An  old  one  of  this  description,  richly  enamelled,  is 
illustrated  in  the  Archceological  Journal  iox  1846  (ii.  167). 

A  most  interesting  example  of  a  pyx  was  found  in  the  parish 

of  Exning,  near  Newmarket, 
Suffolk,  buried  in  the  earth, 
a  little  distance  from  the 
church.  With  it  were  found 
altar  candlesticks  and  sacring 
bells,  so  that  there  could  be 
no  doubt  that  they  repre- 
sented some  of  the  altar  furni- 
ture hidden  to  escape  the  con- 
fiscation of  Edward  VI.'s 
commissioners.  This  pyx  is 
of  latten  and  in  the  form  of 
a  covered  cup,  surmounted 
by  a  conical  spire,  which  is 
crowned  with  a  crucifix.  The 
height  is  11  inches,  and  the 
diameter  of  the  cup  4I  inches.  Round  the  cover  is  engraved  in 
large  characters.  Magnificat  ai'a—''My  soul  doth  magnify."  At 
the  top  of  the  cross  is  a  ring  and  a  link  of  a  chain  by  which  it  had 
been  suspended,  and  there  is  another  small  ring  under  the  hexagon 
foot  of  the  cup.  There  is  a  lock  to  the  cover.  Its  date  is  pro- 
bably  of  the  last  half  of  the  15th  cent. 

There  is,  however,  just  some  slight  evidence  that  the  method 
of  Reservation  occasionally  followed  the  Italian  fashion  of  using  a 
small  locker  immediately  over  or  on  the  high  altar.  In  1466  there 
was  "  j  coffyr  for  to  keep  the  Sacrament  on  the  hygh  auter  "  at  the 


DOVE-SHAPED   PYX 


PYXES  43 

church  of  St.  Stephen,  Colman  Street;  and  in  1547  the  church- 
wardens of  St.  Margaret,  Westminster,  is.  ^d.  for  the  making  of 
"  a  little  coffer  upon  the  hie  altar  for  to  set  in  the  sacrament."  It 
has  also  been  conjectured — but  we  are  not  aware  of  any  evidence 
to  support  such  an  idea — that  an  almery  in  the  north  wall  of  the 
chancel  was  sometimes  used  in  English  churches  for  Reservation. 
The  occurrence  of  "Sacrament  Houses,"  of  the  15th  and  i6th 
cents.,  in  this  position  in  the  churches  of  Scotland,  is  well  known. 

At  Warkleigh,  Devon,  is  a  remarkable  box  of  oak  richly 
painted  and  gilded.  The  base  is  a  solid  piece  of  oak  7J  inches  by 
y\  inches ;  it  is  richly  moulded  except  on  one  side,  which  is  cut 
flat  to  allow  it  standing  against  the  wall.  Into  this  base,  which  is 
2 1  inches  thick,  the  three  oak  sides  are  morticed.  The  front  is  a 
door  on  iron  hinges,  and  a  lock  was  its  original  fastening.  The 
interior  is  6f  inches  high,  and  the  square  of  the  box  is  4^  inches 
by  4^  inches,  so  that  it  could  only  have  held  a  small  ciborium.  At 
the  top  the  two  sides  rise  slightly  above  the  roof,  possibly  to  serve 
as  a  protection  for  the  base  of  the  actual  pyx  when  placed  for 
devotion  on  the  top  of  the  box.  The  painting  is  in  fair  preser- 
vation, and  is  in  oils.  The  front,  back,  and  sides  are  green  within 
a  vermilion  border,  and  in  the  centre  of  each  is  a  jewelled  ring  of 
gold.  Within  these  rings  on  door  and  back  are  five-leaved  ver- 
milion roses  etched  in  with  black.  On  the  sides  are  stars  of  eight 
rays  in  vermilion  on  a  white  ground.  Each  circle  or  ring  is  girt 
with  a  wreath  of  alternate  white  and  red  leaves,  and  the  corners  of 
the  box  are  cusped  with  white,  and  within  the  cusps  are  gold  roses 
of  four  leaves.  There  is  a  coloured  plate  and  description  of  this 
box  in  the  Proceedings  of  the  Exeter  Diocesan  Architectural  Society 
(N.S.  V.  126-130),  where  it  is  definitely  assumed  to  be  a  pyx  case 
that  stood  above  the  altar.  But  the  far  more  probable  solution  is 
that  the  box  was  merely  used  for  containing  the  metal  pyx  during 
the  rites  associated  with  the  Easter  Sepulchre.  Among  other 
mistaken  ideas  as  to  supposed  pyxes  may  be  mentioned  a  curiously 
shaped  circular  silver  cup,  of  15 12-13,  at  the  church  of  Wymes- 
wold,  Leics.,  and  a  circular  wooden  iron-bound  box  with  three 
locks  in  a  church  at  Bristol. 

The  true  pyx  was  always  provided  with  a  single  lock  and  key. 
At  the  episcopal  visitation  of  his  diocese  made  by  Bishop  Waltham 
of  Salisbury,  in  1393,  one  of  the  questions  asked  in  every  church 
was  as  to  the  condition  of  the  locks  and  keys  on  three  pieces  of 


44         ENGLISH   CHURCH    FURNITURE 

church  furniture  which  were  always  to  be  kept  locked,  namely,  the 
pyx,  the  chrismatory,  and  the  font. 

Many  instances  might  be  cited  as  to  the  beautiful  workmanship 
and  considerable  sums  lavished  on  pyxes,  particularly  towards  the 
eve  of  the  Reformation.  The  silver  pyx  of  St.  Mary-at-Hill  bore 
a  small  Rood  with  attendant  figures  on  its  summit.  Thomas 
Doddington,  of  All  Saints,  Northampton,  leaves,  in  1530,  £10  in 
money  or  plate  to  make  a  pyx  for  the  Sacrament,  and  requests 
that  his  brother  (who  was  probably  a  working  goldsmith  of  the 
,town)  should  "make  the  said  pix  after  such  a  goodly  manner  as 
he  can  devyse."  Parishioners  often  united  their  contributions  to 
procure  a  worthy  vessel ;  thus  Henry  Godwin,  of  Irchester,  leaves, 
in  1526,  40s.  "towards  the  bying  and  purchasing  of  a  pyxe  of 
sylver  &  gylte  to  ley  the  blessed  Sacrament  or  body  of  our  Lord 
Jhesu  Cryste,  there  to  remain  for  ever." 

No  account  of  English  pyxes,  however  brief,  should  leave  un- 
noticed the  generosity  in  this  respect  of  Henry  VII.,  as  is  certified 
by  the  following  clause  in  his  last  will : — 

"  Forasmoche  as  we  have  often  and  many  tymes,  to  our  inwarde 
regrete  and  displeasure,  seen  in  diverse  and  many  Churches  of  cure  Reame, 
the  holie  Sacrament  of  the  Aulter  kept  in  ful  simple  and  inhonest  Fixes, 
specially  Fixes  of  copre  and  tymbre ;  we  have  appointed  and  commaunded 
the  Tresourer  of  our  Chambre,  and  Maistre  of  our  Juellhouse,  to  cause  to 
be  made  furthwith  Fixes  of  silver  and  gilte,  in  a  greate  nombre,  for  the 
keping  of  the  holie  Sacrament  of  th'  Aultre,  after  the  faction  of  a  Fixe 
that  we  have  caused  to  be  delivered  to  theim,  every  of  the  said  Fixes  to 
be  of  the  value  of  iiii/.,  garnished  with  our  armes,  and  rede  Roses  and 
Foortcolis  crowned  :  of  the  which  Fixes  we  woll,  that  to  the  laude  and 
service  of  God,  th'  onour  of  the  holie  Sacrament  of  th'  Aulter,  the  weale  of 
our  soule,  and  for  a  perpetual  memorie  of  us,  every  house  of  the  iiii  ordres 
of  Freres,  and  in  likewise  every  Farisshe  church  within  this  our  Reame, 
not  having  a  Fixe,  nor  noon  other  honest  vessell  of  silver  and  gilte,  nor  of 
silver  ungilted,  for  the  keping  of  the  said  Holy  Sacrament,  have  of  our  gifte 
in  our  life  oon  of  the  said  Fixes,  assone  and  spedely  as  goodly  may 
be  doon."  • 

Various  blunders  have  been  made,  and  often  repeated,  with 
regard  to  supposed  survivals  of  pyx  tabernacles  in  English  churches. 
The  two  commonly  cited  examples,  at  Milton  Abbas,  Dorset,  and 
at  Tewkesbury  abbey,  where  there  are  beautifully  carved  small 
wooden    cases   (the   former  of  which   is  surmounted  by  delicate 


CRUETS   AND    FLAGONS 


45 


pinnacled  work),  prove,  on  careful  examination,  to  be  receptacles 
for  a  ring  or  chime  of  small  sanctus  bells  affixed  to  a  wheel.  A 
supposed  pyx  tabernacle  of  another 
style  is  to  be  seen  in  the  library  of 
Wells  cathedral.  It  has  several  times 
been  asserted  that  this  cylindrical  case 
of  open  woodwork  used  to  hang  in  front 
of  the  high  altar  of  Glastonbury  abbey 
as  a  pyx  tabernacle.  It  was  exhibited 
before  the  Society  of  Antiquaries  in 
1897,  when  it  was  fully  described  by 
Mr.  St.  John  Hope.  It  is  3  feet  iij 
inches  high,  and  has  an  internal  diameter 
x)f  14^  inches  ;  it  has  moulded  rings  at 
the  base  and  the  top,  as  shown  in  the 
illustration.  From  the  crested  upper 
ring  rise  two  pair  of  iron  stays  which 
unite  in  a  ring.  The  woodwork  shows 
considerable  traces  of  colour.  This 
lantern-like  object,  c.  1270,  is  depicted 
in  the  Proceedings  of  the  Society  as  a 
"wooden  pyx-canopy (.?)."  We  are  in- 
clined to  strongly  emphasize  the  query. 
If  the  pyx  was  ever  slung  in  its  midst, 
it  could  not  have  been  got  out  without 
infinite  trouble. 

CRUETS  AND  FLAGONS 

Two  cruets,  one  for  wine  and  the 
other  for  water,  formed  an  invariable 
part  of  the  Eucharistic  plate,  from  the 
earliest  days  of  which  we  have  any  in- 
ventory. These  cruets  at  great  churches 
were  sometimes  of  gold,  but  most 
usually  of  silver.  Many,  however,  of 
the  smaller  parish  churches  were  con- 
tent, in  the  15th  and  i6th  cents.,  with 
cruets   of  pewter,   lead,  or   tin.     Very  ''"^^ 

1       ,,  -      ,  .        ,  CANOPY,    WELLS 

rarely  they  were  of  glass ;  a  smgle  pre- 

Reformation  glass  cruet  was  found  concealed   in  the  church   of 


46 


ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


Lapworth,  Warwicks.,  about  1850;  it  passed  into  the  hands  of 
Mr.  Bloxam.  Even  a  city  church  was  content  with  cheap  cruets 
for  the  side  altars.  The  churchwardens  of  St.  Mary-at-Hill  bought 
three  pairs  of  cruets,  in  1539-40,  for  2s. ;  they  had,  however,  as 
we  know  from  an  earlier  inventory,  a  pair  of  silver  cruets,  the  use 
of  which  was  probably  reserved  for  the  high  altar. 

At  All  Souls'  College,  Oxford,  are  a  pair  of  fine  silver-gilt 
bottles,  of  a  design  apparently  imitative  of  glass,  which  are  still 
used  as  altar  cruets  in  the  chapel.  They  are  15  J  inches  high,  and 
of  flattened  pear  shape.  On  each  shoulder  is  a  curved  man's  head 
and  neck,  to  which  a  strong  chain  is  fastened,  and  to  this  chain  is 
attached  a  lighter  chain  from  the  trefoil  head  of  the  stopper.  It  is 
not  known  whether  these  bottles  were  originally  designed  as  altar 
cruets,  but  there  is  no  valid  reason  against  such  a  supposition  ;  they 
are  apparently  of  early  i6th-cent.  date. 

A  small  silver  parcel-gilt  altar  cruet,  in  private  hands,  was 
exhibited  to  the  Society  of  Antiquaries  in  1887.  It  has  no  hall- 
mark, and  is  supposed  to  be  of  I5th-cent.  date.     On  the  top  is  the 

initial  A  for  Aqua,  showing  that  the  cruet 
is  one  of  a  pair ;  the  lost  one  would  bear 
V  for  Vinum, 

A  pair  of  golden  cruets  at  Ely  cathedral 
were  distinguished  by  a  large  ruby  for  the 
wine  and  a  beautiful  pearl  for  the  water. 

A  beautiful  little  silver  pair  of  cruets, 
in  private  hands  at  Beverley,  has  a  bunch 
of  grapes  on  one  stopper  and  a  water-lily 
on  the  other. 

In  the  church  of  St.  Peter  Port,  Guern- 
sey, is  a  single  cruet.  It  is  late  in  date 
{c.  1530-5),  and  small  in  size,  about  6  inches 
in  height  by  3  inches  in  its  widest  diameter. 
It  is  of  a  graceful  flagon-shape,  with  lid, 
handle,  and  a  slender  curved  spout,  spring- 
ing low  down  like  that  of  a  coffee-pot, 
with  an  inscription  round  the  bowl,  Sancte 
Paule  ora  pro  nobis.  On  the  lid  is  en- 
graved A  for  Aqua  ;  doubtless  its  lost  fellow  bore  V  for  Vimim. 

The  size  of  these  old  cruets  was  but  small  when  the  cup  was  denied 
to  the  laity  ;  but  after  the  Reformation  it  became  necessary  that 


CRUET,  ST.  PETER  PORT, 
GUERNSEY 


CRUETS   AND    FLAGONS  47 

the  vessel  for  the  wine  should  be  considerably  enlarged,  and  hence 
the  use  of  what  is  generally  termed  the  flagon.  Thus,  at  Grantham, 
the  churchwardens,  in  1565,  sold  two  chalices  and  a  silver  and 
copper  shrine  of  St.  Wulfran,  "  and  bought  wythe  the  pryce  therof 
a  silver  pott  parcell  gylt  and  a  Ewer  of  sylver  for  the  mynistracion 
of  the  holye  &  most  sacred  supper  of  oure  Lord  Jhesus  Christ 
called  the  holye  communion."  There  are  a  few  examples  of  these 
Elizabethan  ewers  or  flagons  extant ;  they  have  a  pear-shaped 
body,  domed  lid  with  thumb-piece,  and  a  curved  handle,  and  are 
mounted  on  a  spreading  circular  foot. 

At  Cirencester  are  a  pair  of  these  round-bellied  silver  flagons, 
dated  1576.  A  pair  at  St.  Margaret's,  Westminster,  and  one  at 
St.  George's  Chapel,  Windsor  (with  one  of  later  date  to  match),  are 
of  1583.  There  is  another  silver  pair,  of  1587,  at  St.  Mary 
Woolnoth,  London.  At  Rendcombe,  Glos.,  are  a  pair  of  similar 
shaped  small  flagons,  of  1592,  ornamented  round  the  bowls  with 
engraved  belts  of  the  Elizabethan  communion  cup  pattern.  At 
Worplesdon  church,  Surrey,  is  a  jug-shaped  silver  flagon  of  the 
year  1 598.  At  Wadham  College,  Oxford,  are  a  silver-gilt  pair  of 
1 598.  Salisbury  cathedral  has  a  single  silver  example  of  the  year 
1604. 

Mr.  Cripps,  in  his  Old  English  Plate,  cites  several  examples  of 
silver  tankard-shape  flagons,  of  Elizabethan  date,  to  be  found 
among  church  plate.  Such  are  those  of  the  churches  of  TefFont 
Ewyas  (1572),  Fugglestone  St.  Peter,  and  Heddington,  Wilts.  ; 
and  of  the  chapels  of  Corpus  Christi  and  New  College,  Oxford. 

Soon  after  the  beginning  of  the  17th  cent,  the  round-bellied 
small  flagon,  or  large  cruet,  quite  disappeared,  and  the  common 
tall  tankard  shape  came  into  use.  There  are  a  pair  at  Salisbury 
cathedral  of  16 10.  The  earliest  flagon  in  any  Somersetshire  parish 
church  is  that  of  Weston  Zoyland,  161 2  ;  it  is  of  a  flat-topped 
tankard  shape.  The  silver  flagon  of  Hadley  church,  Middlesex, 
which  is  round-bellied  and  dome-topped,  with  a  curious  spout, 
is  hall-marked  1609  ;  but  it  was  not  given  to  the  church  until  1619, 
and  is  obviously  of  secular  origin. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  that  both  before  and  after  the 
Restoration  these  flagons,  throughout  England,  were  frequently, 
and  almost  invariably  in  larger  churches,  in  pairs,  after  the  fashion 
of  the  old  cruets  and  the  small  Elizabethan  flagons.  This  supply 
of  a  pair  of  flagons  may  be  taken,  beyond  doubt,  as  a  survival  of 


48  ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

the  old  use  of  a  pair  of  cruets.  This  idea  is  further  supported  by 
the  difference  in  covers  or  handles  that  may  frequently  be  noticed 
in  a  pair  of  these  flagons,  whether  of  pewter  or  silver,  of  the  same 
date.  This  difference,  too,  may  well  have  been  designed  to  assist, 
as  of  old,  the  celebrant  or  his  server  in  readily  distinguishing 
between  the  wine  and  water  ;  for  the  mixed  chalice  continued 
to  largely  prevail  in  post-Reformation  times,  and  was  the  un- 
doubted use  of  such  prelates  as  Archbishops  Laud  and  Sancroft, 
and  Bishops  Andrewes,  Cosin,  Field,  and  Wren.  There  is  a 
charming  variation  in  both  handles  and  shape  in  the  elegant  pair 
of  silver  flagons  of  classical  design  (Birmingham  hall-mark  1775-6) 
at  Sudbury,  Derbs.  Several  of  the  old  engravings  of  post- 
Reformation  altars  show  a  pair  of  flagons  of  varied  shape  ;  notably 
in  the  frontispiece  to  The  Whole  Duty  of  receiving  worthily  the 
Blessed  Sacrament,  which  was  in  a  fifth  edition  in  17 17. 

SPOONS 

In  the  Greek  Church  a  spoon  with  a  long  narrow  bowl  (the 
labida)  has  been  in  use  since  the  loth  cent,  for  administering 
the  bread  and  wine  together  at  the  Eucharist  to  the  laity,  and  the 
spoon  is  so  shaped  that  its  contents  can  be  taken  into  the  mouth 
with  ease.  The  Celtic  church  used  spoons,  invariably  a  pair,  with 
very  broad  bowls.  A  pair  of  late  Celtic  spoons  were  found  at 
Crosby  Ravensworth,  Westmoreland,  in  1868.  The  cross-lines  in 
the  bowl  of  one  seem  to  confirm  the  suggestion  of  its  use  in 
Christian  ritual.  Various  other  pairs  have  been  found  in  Ireland. 
They  formed  the  subject  of  an  illustrated  article  by  Mr.  Albert 
Way  in  the  Archceo logical  Journal  (vol.  xxvi.). 

Dr.  Rock  says  that  the  only  spoon  used  by  the  Latin  church  in 
this  country  for  eucharistic  purpose  was  one,  with  a  deep  bowl  like 
a  salt-spoon,  for  spilling  a  few  drops  of  water  into  the  chalice  prior 
to  consecration.  The  Dean  and  Chapter  of  Carlisle,  in  168 1,  sold 
an  old  silver  spoon  that  had  **  become  useless."  This  was  probably 
one  of  mediaeval  date. 

Silver  spoons  are  sometimes  enumerated  in  I7th-cent.  and  later 
inventories  of  English  church  plate  ;  their  use  was  to  remove 
impurities  from  the  altar  wine.  Such  spoons  remain,  and  are  in 
occasional  use,  in  some  churches ;  now  and  again  the  bowl  is 
perforated  to  make  them  serve  as  strainers.     There  is  an  Apostle 


PAX  49 

spoon  at  St.  Peter's,  Walworth,  c,  1575,  and  another  of  1597  at 
Dallington,  Northants.  At  Ramsbury  church,  Wilts.,  is  an 
Apostle  spoon  of  early  I7th-cent.  date.  Diss  church,  Norfolk, 
has  a  "rat-tailed"  spoon,  171 5.  At  St.  Olave's,  Southwark,  is  a 
spoon  of  1697,  and  at  St.  Saviour's,  Southwark,  is  one  of  17 16. 
There  are  many  later  instances. 

London  is  by  far  the  richest  part  of  the  country  in  its  supply 
of  these  post-Reformation  church  spoons.  In  the  City  churches 
are  58  of  such  spoons,  varying  in  date  from  163 1  to  1852  ;  and  in 
the  County  of  London  parish  churches  there  are  37  spoons,  dating 
from  1 641  to  1882. 

In  the  churches  of  the  city  of  Norwich  there  are  12  spoons, 
varying  in  date  from  161 3  to  1876.  The  spoon  of  St.  Peter 
Mountergate  is  an  interesting  specimen  of  a  seal-headed  early  17th- 
cent.  spoon.  A  small  worn  crucifix  surmounts  the  seal-head,  and 
is  probably  an  addition  taken  from  an  older  piece.  On  the  back 
is  E,  W.  \6\i.  This  spoon  is  engraved  in  the  tenth  volume  of 
Norfolk  Archceology, 


I 


PAX 


Yet  another  Instnmientum  in  connection  with  the  service  of 
the  Altar  was  the  pax,  or  osctUatoriuni.  The  pax,  or  tahda  pacisy 
took  the  place  of  the  direct  kiss,  and  was  introduced  into  this 
country  A.D.  1250  by  Archbishop  Walter  of  York.  This  pax  took 
the  form  of  a  plate,  either  round  or  oblong,  of  one  of  the  precious 
metals,  or  of  brass,  wood,  ivory,  glass,  or  other  material,  and 
generally  bore  on  its  face  a  representation  of  the  Crucifixion. 
Attached  to  the  back  was  a  handle  for  convenience  of  passing. 
The  best-known  metal  pax  in  England  is  that  which  is  said  to 
have  been  given  by  William  of  Wykeham  to  his  college  at  Oxford, 
and  measures  5^  inches  by  3  inches,  and  consists  of  an  oblong 
plate  of  silver-gilt,  with  a  rich  border  and  an  engraving  of  the 
Crucifixion  with  Sts.  Mary  and  John.  The  pax  is  still  preserved 
with  other  relics  of  Wykeham  at  New  College,  though  its  probable 
date  is  the  end  of  the  15th  or  beginning  of  the  i6th  cent.  A  second 
pax  is  preserved  at  Oxford,  at  All  Souls'  College,  and  a  third,  of 
ivory,  at  the  Archbishop's  House,  Westminster,  where  it  is  still 
occasionally  used. 

Although  the  Rood  was  the  usual  ornament  on  the  pax,  there 

E 


50 


ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


are  a  considerable  variety  of  subjects  on  the  several  English 
examples  still  extant,  such  as  the  Vernicle,  the  Agnus  Dei,  the 
Nativity,  the  Adoration,  and  the  Virgin  and  Child.  There  is 
an  excellent  illustrated  article  on  the  various  paxes  still  surviving 
in  England,  by  Miss  Layard,  in  the  ArchcBo logical  Journal  iox  1904 
(vol.  Ixi.). 

The  pax  was  used  in  lieu  of  the  early  ceremonial  kiss  of  mutual 


PAX,   NEW   COLLEGE,    OXFORD 


salutation  and  affection  at  mass.  It  was  kissed  by  the  celebrant 
after  the  Agnus  Dei,  offered  by  the  server  or  parish  clerk  to  those 
in  quire,  and  then  to  the  congregation  in  order.  The  use  of  the 
pax  is  illustrated  by  a  curious  incident  at  Theydon  Garnon,  which 
shows  that  it  did  not  always  tend  towards  peace.  On  November 
4,  1522,  after  the  elevation  of  the  Host,  the  parish  clerk  presented 
the  pax  to  Mr.  Hempton,  lord  of  the  manor,  and  patron  of  the 
living,  and  to  Margery  his  wife,  and  then  to  Mr.  John  Browne, 
who  took  it,  kissed  it,  and  then  broke  it  in  two  pieces  over  the 
clerk's  head,  causing  streams  of  blood  to  flow.  On  the  previous 
Sunday,  Browne  had  said,  "  Gierke,  if  thou  hereafter  givest  not  me 
the  pax  first,  I  shall  breke  it  on  thy  hedd." 


|G 

,,  cfl  Q 

^  g  z 

w  y  o 

h  g  fc. 

05  = 

?   O  t^ 

=  ^  § 

D   -  " 


e;  K  ^ 

D  («  O 

H  2  2 

>»•  r.l  _ 


u 


go 

M   C  U 

M     J     f- 

"  s:  CK 


CHRISMATORIES  51 


INCENSE  VESSELS 

Among  the  metal  or  plate  vessels  chiefly  associated  with  the 
altar  are  the  two  employed  in  censing,  the  thurible,  or  censer,  and 
the  incense  boat  or  ship.  Many  of  our  parish  churches,  as  well  as 
cathedral  and  collegiate  churches,  used  to  have  these  incense  vessels 
of  silver.  A  beautiful  silver-gilt  censer  was  found  about  the  middle 
of  last  century  when  Whittlesea  Mere  was  drained  ;  it  is  supposed 
to  have  formed  part  of  the  treasure  of  Ramsey  abbey  ;  it  is  now  at 
Elton,  in  the  possession  of  Lord  Carysfort.  The  censer  is  of  14th- 
cent.  date.  With  it  was  found  an  incense  ship  or  boat  of  most 
interesting  design,  of  silver  parcel-gilt  ;  it  is  of  the  reign  of 
Henry  VII.  Both  these  vessels  were  figured  in  an  illustrated 
catalogue  of  the  Loan  Collection  of  Plate  exhibited  in  the  Fitz- 
william  Museum,  May,  1895. 

Various  censers  or  censer  covers  of  bronze  or  latten  have  been 
found  in  or  near  to  our  parish  churches.  At  Ashbury  church, 
Berks.,  is  the  cover  of  a  bronze  censer  of  I4th-cent.  date.  In  1871 
a  bronze  censer  of  rude  but  vigorous  design  was  found  under  the 
flooring  of  the  church  of  Limpsfield,  Surrey.  At  Church  Stretton, 
Salop.,  is  another  bronze  thurible  of  early  (possibly  pre-Conquest) 
design,  A  bronze  or  latten  censer,  of  I3th-cent.  date,  was  found 
in  Ripple  church,  Worcs.,  in  1884;  it  is  of  I5th-cent.  date,  and 
much  resembles  one  found  at  Pershore,  Worcs.,  in  1870,  which  is 
now  in  private  hands.  A  bronze  censer  cover,  found  built  into 
the  east  wall  of  the  chancel  of  Langwith,  Derbs.,  about  1865,  is 
still  preserved  at  that  church.  Another  bronze  censer  cover  of 
a  like  kind  was  found  in  the  walls  of  the  church  of  Dymchurch, 
Kent,  in  1845. 

The  lower  part  of  a  latten  censer  found  at  Heyford  church, 
Northants,  is  now  in  the  museum  of  the  county  town.  It 
is  small,  of  poor  construction,  and  of  late  I5th-cent.  date;  but 
it  is  of  exceptional  interest  as  it  has  four  armorial  bearings 
on  small  shields.  It  is  illustrated  in  volume  thirty-one  of  the 
Antiquary.     The  foot  has  been  clumsily  renewed  in  brass. 


CHRISMATORIES 

There  are  fortunately  still  extant  one  or  two  examples  of  a  very 
rare  class  of  Instrtimenta  Ecclesiastical  called  chrismatories,  which 


52 


ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


used  to  be  found  in  every  parish  church  of  the  land.  The 
chrismatory  was  the  case  for  the  three  holy  oils  of  liturgical  use, 
blessed  on  Maunday  Thursday,  namely,  the  (i)  oleum  infirmorum 
for  the  sick  ;  the  (2)  oleum  sanctum,  or  oleum  catechum  enoruMy 
used  at  baptism  and  for  several  other  purposes  ;  and  the  (3) 
chrisma,  or  balm,  used  for  confirmation,  ordination,  and  in  various 
consecrations. 

A  most  interesting  example  of  a  chrismatory  was  found  in  1879 
in  a  hole  in  the  wall  near  the  chancel  arch  of  Granborough  church, 
Bucks.  It  is  a  pewter  box,  6J  inches  long,  2J  inches  broad,  and 
2j  inches  high,  and  raised  f  inch  from  the  ground  by  legs  at  the 
corners,  which  appear  to  have  been  lions  couchant.  There  are 
remains  of  the  hinge  with  its  pin,  showing  that  it  originally  had 
a  high-pitched  lid,  of  which  two  fragments  remain.  In  the  case 
itself  are  three  circular  perforations,  i\  inch  in  diameter,  con- 
structed to  hold  three  circular  pots  about  2  inches  deep.  Each  pot 
has  had  its  lid,  of  which  two  remain.  On  the  underside  of  these 
lids  is  a  metal  hooked  prong  i\  inch  long.  These  hooks  would  be 
wrapped  round  with  small  portions  of  tow  or  cotton  wool  so  as  to 
raise  for  use  a  small  quantity  of  the  oil.  Fragments  of  some 
fibrous  material  remain  at  the  bottom  of  each  pot. 

Another   chrismatory    was  found    at    an   earlier    date   at   St. 


CHRISMATORY,   ST.    MARTIN'S,    CANTERBURY 


Martin's  church,  Canterbury,  and  when  exhibited  before  the  British 
Archaeological  Association  in  1844,  was  supposed  to  be  an  ink- 
stand !  It  is  a  bronze  box,  6  inches  long,  2  inches  broad,  and 
2  inches  high.  The  lid  is  high-pitched,  surmounted  by  a  vertical 
ridge,    pierced  with  quatrefoils.      The  interior   arrangement,  with 


ALTAR   AND    PROCESSIONAL   CROSSES    53 

three  oil-pots,  is  like  that  of  the  Granborough  example,  but  not 
quite  so  perfect. 

A  small  silver-gilt  casket  at  Godrich  Court,  bearing  the  royal 
arms,  c.  1300,  now  empty  of  its  contents,  is  probably  a  chrismatory 
{ArchcBological  Journal,  vol.  xiii.). 

At  New  College,  Oxford,  is  preserved  the  so-called  chrismatory 
of  William  of  Wykeham,  though  the  fragment,  which  is  the  lid 
of  a  chrismatory,  is  really  of  later  date.  It  is  a  piece  of  silver, 
3  J  inches  long  by  ij  inch  broad,  and  forms  three  conjoined  lids, 
on  which  are  the  three  letters  O,  C,  and  V,  in  characters  of  the 
beginning  of  the  i6th  cent.  These  letters  undoubtedly  were  used 
to  distinguish  between  the  three  oils  and  their  respective  uses,  and 
have  generally  been  taken  to  be  the  initials  of  the  words  Ordinatio^ 
Confirmation  and  Unctio  ;  but  it  is  more  probable  that  O  was  for 
Oleum— "f^-^t  is,  the  general  sacred  oil  ;  C  for  Chrisma  ;  and  V  for 
Unctio,  or  the  oil  for  the  sick. 


ALTAR   AND   PROCESSIONAL  CROSSES 

A  cross  was  not  considered  to  be  an  essential  ornament  for  the 
altar  of  a  mediaeval  English  church,  though  it  commonly  occurred. 
It  always,  in  later  days,  took  the  form  of  a  crucifix,  and  frequently 
had  brackets  at  the  side  bearing  small  figures  of  St.  Mary  and  St. 
John.  In  the  great  churches  the  altar  cross  was  frequently  of  gold, 
and  richly  jewelled  ;  it  was  usually  of  silver  or  silver-gilt,  though 
sometimes  of  copper  or  latten  in  the  ordinary  parish  church. 

The  cross  that  the  parishioners  were  bound  to  provide  was  one 
for  processional  use.  Such  a  cross,  however,  not  infrequently 
served  at  other  times  for  altar  use,  being  fitted  with  a  foot  to  stand 
in,  as  well  as  a  staff  for  carrying  it.  The  use  of  the  processional 
cross  was  of  frequent  and  regular  occurrence  in  the  unreformed 
Church.  In  the  wardens*  accounts  of  St.  Mary-at-Hill,  an  entry  is 
made  about  1480,  "for  mendyng  of  the  crosse  that  is  borne  aboute 
every  day;"  and  in  1484,  a  further  sum  of  I2d.  was  paid  "for 
mendyng  of  the  dayllye  Cross." 

Of  the  altar  crosses,  which  used  to  adorn  almost  every  altar,  not 
one  is  known  to  remain.  There  are,  however,  some  five  or  six 
mediaeval  processional  crosses  of  English  workmanship  still  to  be 
seen.  Of  these,  the  finest  is  preserved  at  St.  Oswald's  church, 
Durham.     It  dates  from  the  15th  cent,  is  of  white  metal,  richly 


54  ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

gilt,  and  mounted  on  a  modern  staff  of  ebony.  The  cross,  which 
bears  the  crucified  Christ  and  the  inscription  INRI,  is  foliated, 
and  has  at  each  of  its  four  extremities  circular  medallions  bearing 
the  Evangelistic  symbols.  The  pulpit-desk  at  Claypole,  Lines., 
is  supported  by  the  old  latten  shaft  of  a  processional  cross. 

At  the  St.  Albans  Church  History  Exhibition  of  1905,  two 
processional  crosses  and  a  portion  of  a  third  were  shown,  all  of 
the  15th  cent.  One  of  these,  the  property  of  the  Society  of 
Antiquaries,  is  of  latten,  originally  parcel-gilt,  with  the  Evangelistic 
symbols  at  the  ends  of  the  arms.  The  head  of  the  shaft  shows 
sockets  for  two  branches  (now  lost)  to  carry  the  attendant  Rood 
figures.  The  cross  itself  fits  into  a  socket,  to  enable  it  to  be 
moved  to  serve  as  an  altar  cross.  In  the  second  beautiful  ex- 
ample, in  private  hands,  the  crucifix  and  symbols  appear  to  have 
been  later  additions  to  a  well-designed  cross  ;  Tudor  roses  are 
engraved  on  the  backs  of  the  medallions.  The  third  instance — 
presented  by  Mr.  Aymer  Vallance  to  the  Victoria  and  Albert 
Museum  since  the  exhibition — consists  of  the  latten  shaft  of  a 
cross,  with  branches  bearing  small  images  of  the  Blessed  Virgin 
and  St.  John,  but  the  cross  itself  is  missing. 


CROZIERS  AND   MITRES 

The  crozier  and  mitre  may  be  briefly  noticed,  for  though 
personal  ornaments,  they  often  come  under  the  heading  of  church 
plate. 

The  pastoral  staves  or  croziers,  the  attributes,  with  the  mitre, 
of  bishops  and  certain  abbots,  are  best  studied  in  the  monumental 
effigies  of  the  dignitaries  of  the  Church ;  but  we  are  fortunate  in 
still  possessing  three  fine  English  examples — one  illustrating  the 
early,  the  second  the  middle,  and  the  third  the  latest  period  of 
ecclesiastical  art.  In  all  cases  the  crozier  took  the  form  of  a  staff, 
generally  of  wood,  surmounted  by  a  head  of  metal,  which  imitated 
in  form  that  of  a  shepherd's  crook.  As  with  the  other  ecclesiastical 
metal  work,  the  earlier  forms  were  simple,  the  later  more  elaborate 
and  architectural  in  character.  Of  the  three  that  have  come  down 
to  us,  the  earliest,  that  discovered  in  a  stone  coffin  at  Wells,  and 
preserved  in  the  cathedral  library  at  that  city,  is  Romanesque  in 
character,  and  apparently  belongs  to  the  end  of  the  12th  cent. 
The  head  is  of  latten,  enamelled,  and  adorned  with  turquoises  and 


D     0 

if 


C/3      C 

W    o 


O    :: 
O    5 

c/2     < 


U      . 

2  .fe 


CROZIERS   AND    MITRES  55 

other  semi-precious  stones.  It  forms  a  graceful  curve,  within  the 
hollow  of  which  is  a  statuette  of  St.  Michael  trampling  on  the 
dragon.  The  design  is  excellent  and  the  execution  vigorous,  and 
though  some  of  the  enamel  has  perished,  the  preservation  is  on 
the  whole  good.     The  shaft  was  of  wood,  and  has  utterly  perished. 

Of  the  croziers  of  the  middle  and  later  periods,  that  of  William 
of  Wykeham,  preserved  at  New  College,  Oxford,  must  have 
always  been  the  finest,  though  it  is  typical  of  the  class.  It  dates 
from  about  1370,  is  architectural  in  character,  the  detail  being 
Decorated  rather  than  Perpendicular  in  style,  an  instance  of  the 
fact  so  frequently  met  with  that  the  subordinate  arts  lagged  a 
little  behind  the  architectural.  It  is  entirely  of  silver,  gilt  and 
enamelled,  and  is  nearly  7  feet  in  length,  of  which  the  head  takes 
up  rather  more  than  three.  The  shaft,  which  is  divided  into  three 
by  bands,  terminates  by  an  expanded  capital  of  foliage.  Upon 
this  is  an  octagonal  turret  of  two  stages,  the  lower  buttressed  and 
panelled,  the  upper  of  tabernacle  work,  with  figures  in  the  niches. 
Above  it  expands  again,  and  then  comes  an  octagon  spire,  sur- 
rounded by  two  tiers  of  canopied  niches,  the  lower  with  figures, 
and  from  the  summit  of  the  spire  springs  the  finial  or  crook  ;  this 
is  crocketed  on  its  outer  margin,  and  divided  on  each  side  into 
nine  compartments,  each  with  a  figure  standing  against  a  back- 
ground of  enamel.  A  kneeling  figure  within  the  concavity  of  the 
crook  forms  a  terminal. 

The  third  of  the  remaining  croziers  is  that  of  Bishop  Fox,  of 
Winchester,  also  at  Oxford,  at  Corpus  Christi  College.  This  is 
of  silver,  and  with  later  detail  resembles  in  general  design  that 
of  Wykeham,  though  it  is  less  ornate  and  somewhat  smaller  ;  its 
date  is  c.  1500. 

Coffin  croziers  of  wood  are  occasionally  found.  There  is 
one  in  the  Newcastle  Museum,  and  two  at  Hereford  cathedral. 
At  St.  David's  are  the  remains  of  a  crozier  of  copper-gilt,  ascribed 
to  Bishop  Gervase,  1215-29,  and  another  of  like  material,  sup- 
posed to  have  belonged  to  Bishop  Beck,  1280-93.  A  bronze 
crozier-head  is  also  preserved  at  the  same  cathedral,  which  was 
found  in  the  tomb  of  Bishop  Gower,  1328-47.  An  ivory  crozier- 
head,  c.  1 180,  was  found  at  Chichester,  and  a  jet  crozier-head., 
c.  1290,  in  another  bishop's  grave  of  the  same  cathedral  church. 
The  silver-gilt  head  of  Bishop  Wren's  crozier,  1638-67,  is  pre- 
served in  the  chapel  of  Pembroke  College,  Cambridge. 


56  ENGLISH   CHURCH    FURNITURE 

At  York  Minster  is  a  large  foreign  crozier  of  silver,  6 J  feet 
long,  which  Catharine  of  Portugal,  queen-dowager  of  Charles  XL, 
gave  to  her  confessor,  Cardinal  Smith,  who  was  nominated  to  the 
see  of  York  by  James  XL,  in  1687.  This  crozier  was  seized  by 
Lord  Danby  (afterwards  Duke  of  Leeds),  as  the  Cardinal  was  going 
in  procession  from  the  Roman  Catholic  chapel  to  the  cathedral, 
and  was  by  him  afterwards  presented  to  the  Dean  and  Chapter. 
Under  the  head  of  the  crook  are  figures  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  and 
Child  ;  it  also  bears  the  arms  of  Portugal,  and  those  of  the  Cardinal, 
surmounted  by  his  hat. 

The  Mitre  was  originally  a  head-covering  of  textile  fabric,  but 
eventually,  by  the  13th  cent,  both  bishops  and  abbots  had  their 
"  precious  "  or  special  mitres  of  gold  or  silver  plates,  garnished  with 
jewels.  Xn  1306  the  prior  of  Winchester  wore  a  plain  mitre  in  the 
presence  of  the  bishop,  but  in  his  absence  a  silver  mitre,  pearled 
and  jewelled.  The  inventory  of  St.  Paul's  cathedral  in  1295 
enters  four  mitres  that  had  silver-gilt  plates.  The  list  of  "  the 
jewels  belonging  to  my  Lord  of  Lincoln's  miter,"  in  1540,  would 
fill  one  of  these  pages. 

The  enamelled  ouches  of  the  head-band,  many  of  the  jewels, 
the  gold  crockets,  and  portions  of  the  ground-work  of  seed  pearls 
of  the  precious  mitre  of  William  of  Wykeham,  made  about  1370, 
are  preserved  at  New  College,  Oxford.  The  silver-gilt  mitre  of 
Bishop  Wren  {i6sS-6y)  is  preserved  in  the  chapel  of  Pembroke 
College,  Cambridge.  Xt  is  fitted  with  a  cap  of  crimson  satin  lined 
with  white  silk  ;  the  condition  of  the  lining  shows  that  it  was  worn 
and  not  merely  treated  as  an  ornament ;  it  is  iij  inches  high  and 
7J  inches  in  diameter. 


ALMS  DISHES 

The  alms  dish  proper,  as  connected  with  the  altar,  is  only  of 
post-Reformation  use.  Xt  may  be  well,  however,  to  draw  attention 
to  a  few  of  the  earlier  and  more  important  examples  in  precious 
metal. 

At  St.  George's  chapel,  Windsor,  is  a  large  plain  silver-gilt 
alms  dish,  with  the  Tudor  rose  on  the  central  boss,  of  the  year 
1556;  and  at  Lambeth  Palace  chapel  is  another  silver-gilt  dish 
of  1635.  At  Canterbury  cathedral  are  two  silver-gilt  alms  plates, 
1 1  inches  in  diameter,  which  are  probably  of  the  year  1 562. 


SILVER-GILT   MITRE   OF   BISHOP   WREN 

PEMBROKE   COLLEGE,    CAMBRIDGE 


CUIRBOUILLI    CASES  57 

At  Mortlake,  Surrey,  is  a  silver  alms  basin,  12  inches  in 
diameter,  of  the  year  1686;  round  the  rim  is  Moretlak  Churchy 
168;. 

The  church  of  Wantage,  Berks.,  possesses  a  very  fine  alms  dish, 
with  repousse  work,  of  1661. 

At  St.  Margaret's,  Canterbury,  are  two  silver  bowls,  7J  inches 
in  diameter,  each  having  a  handle  3I  inches  long  ;  they  were  made 
in  1726  for  the  collecting  of  alms.  One  is  inscribed  with  the 
Offertory  Sentence  from  St.  Matt.  v.  16,  and  the  other  with  the 
Sentence  from  Prov.  xix.  17.  The  shape  seems  to  have  been 
suggested  by  the  wooden  collecting-boxes. 

HERALDIC   CHURCH   PLATE 

The  custom  of  engraving  the  arms  of  donors  on  altar  plate, 
though  apparently  rarely  exercised,  was  not  unknown  before  the 
Reformation.  By  will  of  1378,  Sir  John  Foxley  left  a  chalice  to 
his  parish  church  cum  armis  meis.  Lady  Margaret  Hungerford, 
who  died  in  1477,  left  two  pairs  of  silver-gilt  candlesticks  to  her 
charity  chapel  in  Salisbury  cathedral  which  bore  her  quartered 
arms.  In  the  inventory  of  the  Jewel  House  of  Henry  VHI.  is 
found  :  "  Item  a  chalice,  with  the  princes  arms  en  paten."  Several 
other  instances  might  be  told. 

In  post- Reform  at  ion  days,  arms  and  donor  inscriptions  largely 
multiplied  on  church  plate,  and,  though  distasteful  to  the  reverent 
mind,  have  their  value  and  interest  for  the  heraldic  student  and 
genealogist.  Every  county  affords  abundant  examples.  Among 
instances  of  this  kind  in  the  one  county  of  Derby,  it  may  be 
mentioned  that  the  arms  by  Pegge  are  on  the  Shirley  flagon  ;  the 
arms  of  Harpur  and  Crewe  on  the  Ticknall  patens  ;  the  Curzon 
arms  on  the  Kedleston  patens  ;  those  of  Horton  on  the  Croxall 
flagon  ;  Willoughby  on  all  the  Risley  plate  ;  Sacheverell  on  the 
Morley  paten  ;  Benskin  on  the  Alvaston  plate ;  Gilbert  on  the 
Spondon  paten  ;  Lord  Exeter's  arms  on  the  noble  plate  of  All 
Saints,  Derby ;  and  the  beautifully  quartered  arms  of  Harpur  on 
the  Normanton  chalice  and  paten. 

CUIRBOUILLI    CASES 

In  mediaeval  days  valuable  church  plate  was  not  infrequently 
provided  with  cases  of  embossed  or  stamped  cuirbouilliy  or  boiled 


58  ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

leather,  for  their  better  preservation.  A  few  old  examples  have 
come  down  to  our  own  times. 

The  most  interesting  of  these  is  the  leather  mitre  case  of 
William  of  Wykeham,  Bishop  of  Winchester  (i 367-1404),  which 
is  preserved  at  New  College,  Oxford.  It  is  stamped  with  fleur-de- 
lys,  and  bound  with  iron  straps ;  it  once  contained  the  richly 
jewelled  mitre  {initra  preciosa)  of  the  founder,  of  which  several 
fragments  yet  remain. 

There  is  another  mitre  case  of  similar  leather,  bound  with  iron, 
at  Exeter  cathedral. 

There  are  several  instances  of  cuirbouilli  chalice  cases.  At 
Cawston,  Norfolk,  the  leather  chalice  case  is  stamped  with  Jhesus 
Nazerenus  Rex  Judeorum,  There  are  others  at  Moulton, 
Saxlingham,  Thorpe,  and  Thompson  in  the  same  county ;  at 
Uldale  and  Whitbeck,  Cumberland  ;  and  at  Lanivet,  Cornwall. 

At  the  Herefordshire  church  of  Pipe  and  Lyde  there  is  a  most 
interesting  example  of  a  cylindrical  case  of  leather,  8|  inches  in 
height,  and  a  diameter  of  6  inches.  The  top  of  the  cover  is 
stamped  with  I.H.S.  in  black-letter  characters  ;  on  the  sides  of  the 
case  are  two  fleur-de-lys,  a  shield  with  a  plain  cross,  and  other 
devices.  A  leather  band,  but  not  the  original  one,  goes  round  the 
case.  It  is  well  illustrated  in  the  fine  volume  on  Herefordshire 
church  plate  issued  in  1903. 

There  is  a  somewhat  similar  ancient  case  of  cuirbouilli  in  the 
church  of  Swefling,  Suffolk,  which  is  supposed  to  be  of  Edward  I. 
date.  It  is  11  inches  high  and  6  inches  in  diameter.  In  this 
instance  it  is.  clearly  a  bottle-case,  for  there  is  an  opening  at  the 
top  for  the  bottle-neck.  Probably  both  of  these  cases  were  used 
for  the  safe  keeping  of  sacramental  wine. 


PEWTER 

The  use  of  pewter  about  the  altar,  particularly  in  the  cruets, 
was  by  no  means  unknown  in  pre- Reformation  days,  but  never  for 
chalice  or  paten.  In  the  17th  cent,  its  use  for  the  flagons  that 
succeeded  to  the  mediaeval  and  Elizabethan  cruets  became  general. 
The  reformed  Church,  however,  declared  its  preference  even  in 
this  respect  for  the  purer  metal,  and  never  contemplated  the  un- 
happy introduction  of  pewter  for  the  actual  Eucharistic  vessels. 
The  twentieth  of  the  canons  of  1603  requires  that  the  wine  "be 


CUIRBOUILLI    MITRE  CASE   OF   WILLIAM   OF   WYKEHAM 

NEW   COLLEGE,   OXKOKD 


PEWTER  59 

brought  to  the  Communion-table  in  a  clean  and  sweet  standing-pot 
or  stoop  of  pewter,  if  not  of  purer  metal." 

In  the  numerous  instances  where  pewter  remains  in  old 
churches,  it  generally  takes  the  form  of  flagons  or  plates.  One  of 
the  earliest  dated  pewter  flagons  or  stoops  is  at  Cerne  Abbas, 
Dorset,  of  the  year  1630.  There  is  a  highly  exceptional  round-bellied 
example  of  1635  ^t  Lubenham,  Leics.  At  West  Sheflbrd,  Berks., 
there  is  a  pewter  tazza,  ornamented  in  low  relief,  of  the  year  162 1. 
The  church  of  Mildenhall,  Suffolk,  possesses  two  remarkably  fine 
pewter  dishes,  loj  inches  in  diameter,  each  having  a  central  boss 
with  the  arms  of  Charles  I.  enamelled  in  colour,  and  inscribed 
C.  R,  1648. 

The  earliest  dated  instance  of  a  pewter  chalice  that  we  have  met 
with  occurs  at  Osmaston-by-Derby,  where  there  is  chalice,  flagon, 
and  alms  basin,  all  of  1629.  At  Cranoe  and  Stonton  Wyville, 
Leics.,  are  sets  of  pewter  chalices,  patens,  and  flagons,  of  the 
year  1699. 

In  the  diocese  of  Hereford — and  we  trust  nowhere  else  in 
England — there  are  actually  three  parish  churches  using  pewter 
chalices  and  patens  at  the  present  day  (1903)  for  the  Blessed 
Sacrament,  namely,  Aston,  Crasswell,  and  Llangua.  There  is, 
however,  something  worse  than  pewter,  which  is  after  all  an  honest 
straightforward  metal ;  electro-plate,  which  shams  to  be  silver, 
ought  always  to  be  banished  from  altars. 

In  Mr.  Malcolm  Bell's  Old  Pewter  (1906),  a  good  example  of 
a  pewter  flagon,  from  the  church  of  Midhurst,  Kent,  forms  the 
frontispiece,  and  several  examples  of  i8th-cent.  English  pewter 
chalices  are  supplied.  "Patens  from  a  church  in  Yorkshire,  15th 
cent,"  are  also  illustrated,  but  we  doubt  both  date  and  description. 


CHAPTER  III 
PISCINA— SEDILIA— EASTER   SEPULCHRE— LECTERN 

THE  PISCINA 

PISCINA  is  the  name  usually  given  to  the  water-drain  placed 
near  to  an  altar.     As  a  rule  this  shallow  stone  basin,  with  a 
hole  at  the  bottom  to  carry  off  the  water  into  the  ground, 
is  found  beneath  a  niche,  moulded  according  to  the  period  when 
it  was  erected,  and  placed  at  a  convenient  height  in  the  wall  to  the 
south  of  the  altar. 

Pope  Leo  IV.,  about  850,  directed  that  a  place  was  to  be 
provided  near  the  altar  for  the  disposal  of  the  water  used  for  the 
ablution  of  the  vessels  and  of  the  priest's  hands  after  mass.  In 
the  13th  cent,  the  preliminary  washing  of  the  priest's  hands 
before  the  canon  of  the  mass  was  enjoined,  and  hence  came  about 
the  two  drains  and  basons,  side  by  side.  But  in  the  14th  cent, 
the  custom  became  general  of  the  celebrant  drinking  the  ablution  ; 
hence  the  reversion  to  the  single  drain. 

In  the  remains  of  English  conventual  churches,  piscinae  or 
drains  have  been  found  in  the  floor  near  the  altars,  as  at  the 
Cistercian  abbeys  of  Fountains,  Rievaulx,  and  Furness,  as  well  as 
in  the  ruins  of  the  churches  of  the  Austin  house  of  Kirkham,  and 
of  the  Remonstratensian  house  of  Langdon,  Kent.  Mr.  St.  John 
Hope  is  of  opinion  that  such  floor  drains  were  also  common  in 
parish  churches  at  an  early  date,  but  afterwards  disappeared 
through  constant  repaving.  It  is  supposed  that  these  floor  piscinae 
were  for  the  purpose  of  pouring  out  a  little  of  the  contents  of 
the  altar  cruets,  before  using  them,  with  the  intention  of  removing 
any  possible  dust  or  other  impurity.  Durandus  gives  a  symbolical 
turn  to  this  custom,  by  explaining  that  it  was  done  to  typify  that 
the  blood  and  water  from  the  side  of  Christ  flowed  out  upon  the 
ground. 

60 


THE    PISCINA 


6i 


Piscinas  of  Norman  character  are  not  very  common.  There 
are  good  examples  at  Towersey,  Bucks.  ;  Crowmarsh  and  South- 
leigh,  Oxon. ;  Ryarsh,  Kent ;  Ramsey,  Hants  ;  Horbling,  Lines. ; 
Wynford,  Dorset ;  Graveley,  Herts  ;  and  Scarcliffe,  Derbs. 

Scarcliffe  is  an  instance,  of  which  there  are  several,  where  the 
early  Norman  piscina  was  not  removed  when  one  of  later  form 
was  substituted.  In  this  case,  the  drain  itself  is  in  a  square  stone 
projecting  from  the  wall,  and  above  it  is  a  diminutive  rounded 
niche  of  9  inches  wide  by  7  inches  high.  At  a  later  date  this 
piscina  was   discarded,   another   one 

I  being  constructed  in  the  wall  a  little 

I  further  to   the   west.      This    second 

I  piscina  has  a  square  opening  above 
it,  which  forms  a  compound  part  of 
the  thing  that  runs  along  the  side  of 
the  wall. 

The  remains  of  discarded  Norman 
piscinae  are  sometimes  the  only  cer- 
tain relics  of  a  church  of  that  period, 
as  in  the  case  of  the  I5th-cent.  church 
of  Bicknoller,  Somerset,  where  the 
loose  head  of  a  Norman  piscina  shaft 
may  be  noticed  within  the  later  piscina 
niche. 

In  later  Norman  work  a  shaft 
sometimes  projected  from  the  wall 
to  carry  the  drain,  the  capital  being 
more  or  less  ornamented,  as  in  the 
case  of  Towersey,  Bucks.,  of  which  an 
illustration  is  given  in  Parker's  Glos- 
sary. Several  of  these  occur  in  churches  of  the  North  and  East 
Ridings,  as  at  Barton-le-Street.  An  illustration  is  here  given  of 
a  late  Norman  detached  piscina  shaft,  of  a  curious  geometrical 
design,  now  in  the  porch  of  Tollerton  church,  Notts.  It  was 
recently  recovered  from  a  neighbouring  shrubbery,  where  it  had 
been  thrown  away.  Other  Norman  piscina  shafts  may  be  noticed 
at  Ashe  and  Winchfield,  Hants. 

In  the  ruins  of  Kirkstall  abbey,  Leeds,  there  are  as  many  as 
seven  late  Norman  piscinae  in  different  parts  of  the  great  conventual 
church. 


TOLLERTON,   NOTTS 


ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


An  example  or  two  of  Early  English  single  piscinas  are  to  be 
•found  in  almost  every  county,  often  elegantly  treated.  Instances 
may  be  named  at  Baulking,  Hampstead  Norris,  White  Waltham, 
and  Uffington,  Bucks. ;  Kirtlington,  Oxon.  ;  Warmington,  North- 
ants  ;  Gilston  and  Ippollitts,  Herts  ;  Radnage,  Lee,  and  Leck- 
hampstead,  Bucks.  ;  and  Great  Shelford,  Cambs.  Huntingdon- 
shire has  five  examples,  Catworth,  Covington,  Somersham, 
Houghton,  and  Kings  Ripton.  Bramley,  Hants,  and  Holy 
Trinity,  Goodramgate,  York,  are  good  instances  of  Early  English 
piscina  shafts ;  there  is  the  head  of  another  at  Halam,  Notts.     At 

Bentworth  and  Elvetham, 
Hants,  are  graceful  piscina 
niches  ornamented  with  the 
dog-tooth  moulding. 

In  the  first  half  of  the 
13th  cent,  the  fashion  came 
into  use  in  some  parts  of 
England  of  constructing  what 
is  generally  termed  an  angle 
piscina  niche,  which  was 
formed  in  the  eastern  jamb 
of  the  south  chancel  window 
nearest  the  altar,  with  a 
niche  opening  (usually  tre- 
foiled)  both  to  the  west  and 
the  south,  and  often  a  shaft 
between  them.  One  of  the 
most  graceful  of  these  angle 
piscinas,  here  illustrated,  occurs  at  Blyford,  Suffolk.  In  this 
immediate  district  several  other  examples  may  be  noted,  as  at 
Bramfield,  Chediston,  Frostenden,  Heveningham,  South  Cove,  and 
Uggeshall  ;  in  the  last  case  the  two  openings  are  very  small. 
Bedfordshire  also  affords  various  instances  of  these  angle  piscinas, 
and  there  is  a  good  example  at  North  Moreton,  Berks.  A  par- 
ticularly elaborate  angle  piscina  of  the  15th  cent,  may  also  be 
noted  at  the  parish  church  of  Cheltenham. 

In  the  13th  cent.,  as  well  as  in  subsequent  examples,  a  stone 
shelf  was  often  introduced  into  the  niche  over  the  piscina  drain, 
for  the  purpose  of  placing  thereon  the  cruets,  and  perhaps  the 
ciborium  for  use  at  mass,  thereby  serving  the  purpose  of  what  was 


BLYFORD,   SUFFOLK 


THE    PISCINA 


63 


afterwards  termed  the  credence  table.  In  various  instances  this 
shelf  was  of  wood,  and  the  grooves  into  which  it  fitted  may  not 
infrequently  be  noticed.  Occasionally  the  original  wooden  shelf 
still  remains,  as  at  Ufford,  Northants ;  Shalbourne,  Berks. ;  and 
Grosmont,  Mons. 

A  remarkable  I3th-cent.  example  is  illustrated  from  Ditchfield, 
Wilts.  In  this  case  the  shelf  has  thr^e  semicircular  projections. 
The  piscina  at  Swineshead,  Hunts,  of  this  century  is  noteworthy. 
Under  the  eastern  jamb  shaft  of  the  south  window  of  the  chancel  is 
a  small  water-drain,  the  angular 
canopy  of  which  serves  as  a  base 
to  the  shaft.  In  addition  to  the 
one  at  Swineshead,  there  are  six 
other  I4th-cent.  piscinas  in  this 
county,  namely,  at  Great  Paxton, 
Spaldwick,  Kimbolton,  Fen  Stan- 
ton, Little  Stukeley,and  Broughton. 

At  Thorpe  Arnold,  Leics.,  the 
piscina  of  the  south  chantry  is  of  a 
style  occasionally  found  in  this 
district,  but  very  rare  elsewhere. 
The  credence  shelf  is  placed  in  an 
arched  recess  above  that  over  the 
bason,  both  of  them  having  trefoiled 
heads. 

The  I3th-cent.  piscina  of  Strat- 
ford Toney,  Wilts.,  has  a  Purbeck  marble  basin,  the  projecting 
corbel  of  which  is  carved  with  snake-like  figures ;  the  arch  of  the 
niche  is  trefoiled. 

In  the  last  half  of  the  13th  cent.,  and  extending  into  the 
beginning  of  the  14th  cent.,  the  custom  came  into  general  use  in 
England  of  having  two  basins  and  drains  under  the  piscina  niche. 
As  a  rule,  a  double  piscina  may  be  assigned  to  the  reign  of 
Edward  I. ;  but  there  are  a  few  exceptions,  both  of  earlier  and 
later  date.  One  of  these  drains  was  used  for  pouring  away  the 
lavabs  used  after  the  ceremonial  washing  of  the  priest's  hands, 
and  the  other  for  the  rinsing  of  the  chalice  and  paten.  The  earliest 
of  these  double  piscinas  that  we  have  noticed  is  at  Doveridge, 
Derbs.,  which  is  about  the  beginning  of  Henry  III.'s  reign  ;  it  is 
illustrated  in  the  third  volume  of  Cox's  Derbyshire  Chttrches. 


DITCHFIELD,   WILTS 


64 


ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


..--:!!^. 


On  the  south  side  of  the  chancel  of  Rothwell,  Northants,  are 
the  remains  of  an  elaborate  piscina  niche  of  I4th-cent.  date, 
wherein  is  the  very  exceptional  number  of  three  drains  or  basins. 

In  the  ruins  of  Salley  abbey,  W.  R.  Yorks.,  there  is  a  similar 
triple  piscina. 

At    Grosmont,    Mons.,  is    a  beautiful    niche    with    cinquefoil 

cuspings  and  dog-tooth  mould- 
ing, over  a  double  piscina 
drain.  In  the  south  wall  of 
the  south  chapel  is  another 
beautiful  niche  of  the  same 
date  over  a  single  piscina. 
The  latter  retains  its  original 
wooden  credence  shelf. 

Huntingdonshire  has 
several  double  piscinas,  each 
with  a  shelf  at  the  back  of 
the  niche,  such  as  those  of 
Abbots  Leigh,  Alconbury,  St. 
Ives,  Kimbolton,  Somersham, 
and  Wiston  ;  the  last  named 
is  an  unusally  late  instance. 

There  are  many  excellent 
instances  of  double-drained 
piscinas  in  Cambridgeshire  ; 
as  at  Histon,  where  there  is  one  in  each  transept,  and  at 
Arrington,  Bottisham,  Bartlow,  Coveney,  Doddington,  Elsworth, 
Fen  Drayton,  Foxton,  Kennett,  Long  Stanton  St.  Michael, 
Milton,  Sutton,  Trumpington,  and  Witcham.  Among  other 
examples,  scattered  over  the  whole  country,  may  be  men- 
tioned those  of  Hawton,  Gedling,  West  Bridgford,  and  Bunny, 
Notts. ;  Porlock  and  Luccombe,  Somerset ;  Ickworth,  Hargrave, 
Mildenhall,  and  Cowling,  Suffolk ;  Kingswalden  and  Digswell, 
Herts  ;  Doveridge,  Ilkestone,  and  Norbury,  Derbs. ;  Algarkirk, 
Buckminster,  Corby,  Burton  Coggles,  Skillington,  and  Wilsford, 
Lines.  ;  Ashwell  and  Noseley,  Leics.  ;  Lillingston  and  Lovell, 
Oxon.  ;  Drayton  and  White  Waltham,  Berks. ;  Wavendon,  Bucks. ; 
Crediton,  Devon  ;  Auckland,  Durham ;  Hawkesbury,  Glos.  ; 
Farningham,  Kent ;  Hampton  Bishop,  Herefords. ;  and  Fladbury, 
Worcs. 


COWLING,   SUFFOLK 


THE    PISCINA 


65 


Among  the  more  noteworthy  piscinas  of  late  13th  or  I4th-cent. 
date,  the  one  at  Compton  Beauchamp,  Berks.,  which  has  a  drain 
shaft,  may  be  mentioned.  There  is  a  highly  remarkable  arrange- 
ment of  this  century  in  the  south  aisle  of  the  church  of  North 
Marston,  Bucks.,  where  there  are  two  niches  having  crocketed 
canopies  over  the  basons,  one  on  each  side  of  the  east  window.  A 
fine  piscina  niche  in  the  handsome  Decorated  chancel  of  Westhall, 
Suffolk,  has  two  credence  shelves — a  most  unusual  arrangement. 


TRUMPINGTON,   CAMBS. 


NORTH   MARSTON,   BUCKS. 


In  Parker's  Glossary  are  illustrations  of  two  ornamental  and 
effective  piscina  niches,  both  having  crocketed  canopies,  and  early 
in  the  14th  cent.,  though  very  different  in  style,  the  one  at  Dor- 
chester, Oxon.,  and  the  other  at  Great  Bedwin,  Wilts.  Another 
one  of  great  beauty  of  tracery,  also  figured  by  Parker,  is  at 
Fyfield,  Berks. 

As  examples  of  isth-cent.  or  Perpendicular  work,  Parker's 
Glossary  depicts  those  of  Tackley,  Oxon.,  and  Ilfracombe,  Devon. 
Piscina  shaft-drains  of  this  period  are  very  rare.  There  is  one 
of  much  beauty  of  design,  here  illustrated,  in  the  chancel  of  the 
out-of-the-way  little  church  of  Treborough,  West  Somerset.  There 
is  a  single  instance  of  a  late  wooden  piscina  shaft  in  the  Beauchamp 


66 


ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


chapel,  St.  Mary's,  Warwick.  In  the  chancel  of  North  Marston, 
Bucks.,  there  is  a  good  and  unusual  canopied  piscina  of  this  later 
period  projecting  from  the  wall.  At  Blythburgh  and  Spexhall, 
Suffolk,  the  late  piscina  niches  have  cinquefoil  heads. 

Occasionally,  there  is  a  very  small  niche,  in  later  examples,  in 
the  wall  each  side  of  the  main  niche  over  the  bason,  which  are 
clearly  intended  for  the  cruets,  as  at  Kirk  Hallam,  Derbs.  At 
Barton,  Notts.,  the  two  small  niches  for  the  cruets  appear  in  the 
back  of  the  larger  niche.  Over  the  piscina  bason  of  Southwold, 
Suffolk,  are  two  niches,  one  above  the  other,  whilst  a  tiny  pointed 


TREBOROUGH,    WEST  SOMERSET 


CRAWLEY,  HANTS 


opening  communicates  with  the  seats  to  the  west,  as  shown  in  the 
illustration  of  the  sedilia. 

It  should  be  remembered  that  some  of  the  handsomest  piscina 
niches  are  those  that  are  worked  continuously  in  the  same  design 
with  the  sedilia.  Such  are  of  all  periods,  as  is  shown  in  the 
beautiful  examples  of  Monyash,  Ilkeston,  and  Sandiacre,  Derbs. 
(all  illustrated  under  "  Sedilia "),  or  in  those  of  Meesden,  Anstey, 
Waltham,  Wheathampstead,  and  Watton,  Essex. 

In  contrast  to  these  elaborate  examples  of  the  treatment  of 
the  piscina  niches,  it  should  be  mentioned  that  the  exact  reverse 


SEDILIA  6^ 

occurs  in  certain  instances,  particularly  in  the  Midlands,  where  the 
shallow  basin  and  drain  occur  in  the  sill  of  a  window,  on  the 
south  side  of  the  altar,  without  any  kind  of  niche  or  canopy  over  it. 
Instances  of  this  occur  at  Knipton  and  Goadby  Marwood,  Leics.  ; 
at  Crich  and  Sawley,  Derbs. ;  at  Sibthorpe,  Notts.  ;  and  at  Salt- 
fleetby.  Lines.  At  Lydeard  St.  Lawrence,  Somerset,  there  is  a 
piscina  in  a  small  square-headed  recess  immediately  below  the 
easternmost  window  on  the  south  side  of  the  nave. 

A  singular  place  has  been  found  for  the  piscina  drain  at 
Crawley,  Hants.  In  that  case,  as  shown  in  the  illustration,  the 
squint  opening  from  the  north  aisle  into  the  chancel  has  been  used 
for  the  piscina  of  the  side  altar. 

Now  and  again  a  case  occurs  in  which  there  is  an  inner  small 
recess  within  the  piscina  niche,  usually  at  the  west  side,  as  at 
Hempstead,  Norfolk,  and  in  the  south  aisle  of  Hawton,  Notts. 
Such  recesses  were  clearly  intended  for  the  deposit  of  the  cruets 
when  not  in  use. 

The  most  remarkable  accompaniment  to  a  piscina  yet  remains 
to  be  mentioned.  At  Long  Wittenham  church,  Berks.,  is  the 
diminutive  figure  of  a  cross-legged  knight,  fully  armed,  with  shield 
and  sword,  the  head  on  a  pillow  and  the  feet  on  an  animal.  This 
figure,  which  is  only  26  inches  long,  rests  on  the  slab  of  the  piscina, 
with  the  head  towards  the  east.  The  head  of  the  niche  over  this 
small  effigy  and  the  drain  is  of  trefoil  shape,  with  the  figures  of  two 
angels  with  expanded  wings.  The  only  reasonable  conjecture  about 
this  very  strange  position  for  a  human  ^^'gy  is  that  it  commemo- 
rates a  knight  of  local  renown  who  provided  this  piscina,  and  who 
may  in  other  ways  have  been  a  benefactor  to  the  chancel.  There 
is  an  illustration  of  this  piscina  in  the  ArchcBological  Journal^ 
ii.  134. 

In  the  twelfth  volume  of  the  Proceedings  of  the  Cumberland  and 
Westmoreland  A  ntiqiiarian  Society^  there  is  a  good  illustrated  paper 
on  all  the  mediaeval  piscinas  of  the  diocese  of  Carlisle. 


SEDILIA 

Sedilia  is  the  name  applied  to  the  three  stone  seats  or  recessed 
canopied  stalls  not  infrequently  found  near  the  altar  in  the  south 
wall  of  the  chancel.  They  are  of  far  more  exceptional  occurrence 
in  Continental  Christendom  than  in  England.     The  usual  number 


6S  ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

is  three,  and  they  are  intended  for  the  use  of  the  priest,  deacon, 
and  subdeacon  at  high  mass.  The  earlier  examples  (and,  quite 
exceptionally,  some  of  the  later  ones)  are  generally  graduated  in 
height,  the  priest  using  the  one  nearest  the  east,  and  then  the 
deacon  and  subdeacon.  When  on  the  same  level,  they  mark  the 
time  when  priests  acted  as  assistants  of  the  celebrant. 

They  occur  in  the  I2th  cent. ;  those  at  Earls  Barton,  Northants, 
and  Wellingore,  Lines.,  are  good  examples.  In  the  next  cen- 
tury they  were  fairly  general.  In  districts  where  stone  abounded, 
much  skill  and  delicacy  of  treatment  were  often  expended  on  the 
enrichment  of  the  canopy-work  of  the  stalls.  As  a  rule,  particularly 
in  the  best  examples,  a  water-drain  or  piscina,  with  a  more  or  less 
elaborate  niche  over  it,  to  the  immediate  east  of  the  seats,  formed 
part  of  the  design.  The  three  stalls  in  the  earlier  examples  are 
divided  by  detached  shafts  or  pillars,  and  generally  in  later  times 
by  a  piece  of  walling,  which  is  not  infrequently  pierced  with 
apertures. 

There  are  detached  or  isolated  sedilia  at  the  cathedral  churches 
of  Exeter  and  Bristol,  at  Tewkesbury  abbey,  and  at  the  collegiate 
church  of  Crediton. 

Derbyshire,  for  a  small  county,  affords  a  variety  of  good  in- 
stances of  different  periods,  from  which  most  of  our  sedilia  illus- 
trations are  taken.  Monyash  is  the  only  instance  in  the  county 
where  the  seats  are  graded ;  it  is  an  excellent  example  of  late 
Norman  or  Transition  workmanship,  and  is  known  from  record 
evidence  to  date  about  1 200.  The  sedilia  of  Ilkeston  church  show 
admirable  work  of  the  time  of  Edward  I.,  about  1280-90.  At 
Sandiacre  there  are  three  remarkably  fine  sedilia  with  piscina 
niche  of  the  same  elaborate  pattern,  about  1 340  ;  the  canopies  are 
lofty  and  have  cinquefoil  featherings,  with  open  tracery  above,  and 
are  richly  crocketed  and  finialed.  Later  in  the  same  century  are 
the  handsome  sedilia,  with  quatrefoil  treatment,  of  Tideswell ; 
whilst  at  Kirk  Hallam  are  effective  but  shallow  canopies  of  the 
15th  cent. 

Two  other  illustrations  are  given  of  somewhat  remarkable 
late  iSth-cent.  examples.  The  sedilia  of  Rotherham,  W.  R.  Yorks., 
have  the  dividing  walls  frequently  pierced.  South  wold,  Suffolk,  is 
of  an  exceptional  plan  ;  it  has  a  beautiful  canopy  running  con- 
tinuously over  the  table-bench,  the  seats  of  which  are  not  divided. 
There  are  one  or  two  other  instances  of  this  plan,  though  not  so 


SEDILIA 


69 


MONYASH,    DERBS. 


ILKESTON,    DERBS. 


70  ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

ornate  as  that  of  Southwold.  At  Spratton,  Northants,  there  is  a 
stone  bench,  with  room  for  three  persons,  under  a  plain  pointed 
arch. 

Instances  of  a  single  stone  slab  or  sedile  in  the  structure  of 
the  south  wall  of  the  chancel  are  met  with  occasionally.  Examples 
may  be  mentioned  at  Luccombe,  Queen  Camel,  and  Baltonsborough, 
Somerset ;  Spennithorne,  N.  R.  Yorks. ;  Edlesborough,  Lee,  and 
Wroughton,  Bucks. ;  Ditching,  Sussex ;  Avington  and  Eaton 
Hastings,  Berks. ;  Broad-Hempston,  Devon  ;  and  Barrow  and 
Chaddesden,  Derbs. 

At  Lenham,  Kent,  a  single  seat  projects  considerably  from  the 
wall,  and  has  stone  elbows,  but  the  back  is  recessed  and  has  a 
trefoiled  head  ;  it  is  illustrated  in  Parker's  Glossary.  At  Bickley, 
Oxon.,  there  is  a  single  stone  seat,  in  the  usual  position,  with  one 
elbow. 

There  are  also  various  examples  of  double  sedilia.  The  most 
finished  instance  that  we  know  of  two  seats  occurs  at  Whitwell, 
Derbs.,  where  there  is  beautifully  ornate  work  about  the  middle  of 
the  14th  cent.  The  tabernacle  work  above  the  seats  is  carried  to 
a  considerable  height,  and  is  most  effective  ;  the  two  seats  are  on 
a  different  level,  the  eastern  seat  being  a  step  the  higher. 

Double  sedilia  occur  at  Sedgeberrow  and  Bricklehampton  and 
at  two  other  Worcestershire  churches  ;  also  at  West  Bridgeford, 
Notts.  ;  Milton  Keynes,  Bucks.  ;  Fen  Drayton  and  Whittlesea, 
Cambs. ;  Maristow  and  Yealmpton,  Devon  ;  Pattingham,  Staffs.  ; 
Aldworth,  Harwell,  Steventon,  and  Tidmarsh,  Berks. ;  Mobberley 
and  West  Kirby,  Chester  ;  and  Tempsford,  Sharnbrook,  Hockliffe, 
and  Bedford  St.  Mary,  Beds. 

On  the  other  hand,  although  three  sedilia  is  the  normal  number, 
there  are  some  instances  where  this  number  is  exceeded.  There 
are  fourfold  sedilia  at  the  great  churches  of  Westminster,  Durham, 
Gloucester,  and  Furness  ;  also  at  Luton  and  Turvey,  Beds.  ;  Maid- 
stone, All  Saints,  Kent ;  Langley  Marsh,  Bucks.  ;  Rothwell,  North- 
ants ;  Ottery  St.  Mary  (in  the  Lady  Chapel),  Devon  ;  Stratford-on- 
Avon,  Warwicks.  ;  and  the  Mayor's  Chapel,  Bristol. 

Southwell  and  Maidstone  have  each  five-stalled  sedilia. 

At  episcopal  high  mass,  one  of  the  additional  stalls  would  be 
occupied  by  the  canon  with  the  mitre,  or  perhaps  in  other  cases  by 
the  master  of  the  ceremonies  at  great  festivals. 

In    Mr.    Prior's    admirable  work   on    Gothic  Art,  attention   is 


SEDILIA 


7i 


SANDIACRE,   DERKS. 


TIDESWELL,    DERBS. 


72  ENGLISH   CHURCH    FURNITURE 


KIRK   HALLAM,  DERBS. 


SOUTHWOLD,    SUFFOLK 


SEDILIA 


73 


drawn  to  "  the  lordly  graces  of  the  cathedral  as  it  were,"  which  are 
to  be  found  in  the  fine  I4th-cent.  traceries  and  head-carvings  of 
some  of  the  sedilia  of  the  south-east  of  England,  as  at  Westwell, 
Kent.     Other  good  examples  of  this  rich  period  occur  at  Great 


ROTHERHAM,    W.  R.  YORKS. 


Haseley,  Oxon. ;  Grafton  Underwood,  Northants  ;  Hawton  and 
Car  Colston,  Notts.  ;  Shottesbrook,  Berks. ;  Kidderminster  and 
Chaddesley  Corbett,  Worcs. ;  and  Nantwich,  Bunbury,  and  Malpas, 
Chester. 

The  instances  illustrated  in  Parker's  Glossary  are — St.  Mary's, 
Leicester,  enriched  Norman  ;  Wellingore,  Lines.,  Transition 
Norman ;    Uffington,   Berks.,   Early    English ;    Chesterton   (with 


74  ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

ball-flower  mouldings),  Merton,  Oxon.,  and  Willesborough,  Kent, 
14th  cent. ;  and  Farnham,  Surrey,  and  St.  Mary's,  Oxford, 
15  th  cent. 

It  is  not  uncommon  to  find  a  second  set  of  sedilia  in  the  south 
aisle.  This  arrangement  is  fairly  frequent  in  Leicestershire  and 
Northamptonshire.  In  addition  to  the  fine  Norman  sedilia  in  the 
chancel,  St.  Mary's  church,  Leicester,  possesses  the  most  beautiful 
of  Early  English  examples  in  its  south  aisle.  The  same  may 
be  noted  in  the  south  transept  of  Filey,  Yorks.  At  Medbourne, 
Leics.,  the  second  series  occupies  a  unique  position,  namely,  at  the 
south  end  of  the  aisle  of  the  south  transept. 

In  some  districts,  particularly  in  East  Anglia,  the  sill  of  the 
window  in  the  south  wall  of  the  chancel  nearest  to  the  east  is 
lowered,  so  as  to  form  an  inexpensive  kind  of  sedilia  bench. 


EASTER   SEPULCHRES 

Every  church  seems  to  have  been  provided  with  a  movable 
chest  or  small  receptacle  known  as  the  Holy  Sepulchre  or 
Easter  Sepulchre,  in  which  on  Maundy  Thursday  was  deposited 
a  consecrated  wafer,  shut  up  in  a  pyx,  together  with  a  cross.  This 
chest  was  placed  on  the  north  side  of  the  chancel,  and  there  con- 
stantly watched  until  an  early  hour  on  Easter  Sunday,  when  the 
pyx  was  taken  out  and  replaced  upon  the  altar.  The  actual 
receptacle  was  usually,  if  not  always,  of  wood  ;  an  example  in 
private  possession  is  described  by  Bloxam,  but  no  other  is  known, 
unless  the  painted  box  at  Warkleigh,  Devon,  already  described 
under  "  Pyx,"  is  included.  Occasionally  a  temporary  structure  of 
wood,  enriched  with  hangings,  was  supplied  to  sustain  the  Sepulchre ; 
but  it  was  more  usual  to  provide  a  permanent  structural  recess 
to  enshrine  the  Sepulchre,  and  many  of  these  remain  and  are 
now  known  as  Easter  Sepulchres.  In  fact,  whenever  there  is  a 
sepulchral  arch  on  the  north  side  of  the  chancel,  it  is  reasonable  to 
consider  it  as  primarily  an  Easter  Sepulchre,  even  when  it  covers 
an  effigy  or  other  sepulchral  monument.  The  subjoined  list,  how- 
ever, only  includes  those  which'  are  marked  out  definitely  as 
Easter  Sepulchres. 

The  structural  Easter  Sepulchre  does  not  appear  to  have  come 
into  use  before  the  latter  half  of  the  13th  cent.,  and  the  majority 
belong  to  the  late  Decorated  period.     They  are  invariably  on  the 


EASTER   SEPULCHRES  75 

north  side  of  the  chancel,  and  where  this  is  aisled  may  be  in  the 
north  aisle.  The  most  usual  form  seems  to  have  been  a  recess  in 
the  chancel  wall,  reaching  to  the  floor  and  covered  by  a  cusped  and 
crocketed  arch.  Many,  however,  are  greatly  enriched  with  tracery 
and  tabernacle  work,  and  with  appropriate  figure  sculpture  ;  they 
were  sometimes  of  towering  height,  as  at  Bampton,  Oxon.,  and 
Northwold,  Norfolk. 

Of  the  sculptured  Sepulchres,  one  of  the  most  beautiful,  though 
not  the  most  ornate,  is  that  at  Lincoln  Cathedral.  This  is  in  three 
divisions,  each  consisting  of  a  trefoil-headed  open  niche,  canopied 
and  crocketed,  and  at  the  base  of  each  is  a  figure  of  a  soldier, 
finely  carved  in  bold  relief  ;  it  dates  from  the  13th  cent. 

Most  of  the  sculptured  Sepulchres  are  in  Lincolnshire  and  the 
neighbouring  counties  ;  that  at  Heckington  is  typical  of  all.  It  is 
about  10  feet  in  height  by  5  feet  6  inches,  and  presents  a  base  of  four 
canopied  panels,  each  occupied  by  the  figure  of  a  sleeping  soldier. 
The  superstructure  is  treated  as  a  triptych  ;  the  lower  portion  of 
the  central  division  has  the  recess  for  the  Sepulchre,  2  feet  8  inches 
wide  by  i  foot  8  inches  in  depth,  covered  by  a  straight-sided  arch 
with  crockets  and  finial.  The  remainder  of  the  middle  stage,  in  all 
three  divisions,  is  occupied  by  a  sculptured  representation  of  the 
Resurrection.  Above  the  finial  of  the  recess  is  a  figure  of  the  risen 
Christ,  with  angels  on  either  hand,  while  the  lateral  divisions  show 
four  female  figures  and  two  angelic.  This  stage  is  heavily  canopied 
and  pinnacled,  and  all  its  flat  surfaces  covered  with  foliage  carving, 
bewildering  in  its  intricacy  and  richness.  In  date  this  composi- 
tion belongs  to  the  fully  developed  Decorated  period. 

At  Hawton,  Notts.,  there  is  an  Easter  Sepulchre  much  resembling 
that  at  Heckington,  and  of  the  same  date,  but  richer  in  detail.  It 
is  considered  by  some  judges  to  be  the  most  elaborate  and  beautiful 
work  pertaining  to  an  Easter  Sepulchre  in  all  England,  or  probably 
in  all  Christendom.  It  would  be  quite  in  vain  here  to  attempt  any 
real  description  of  the  masterly  piece  of  sculpture,  17  feet  long  by 
1 2  feet  high,  which  occupies  most  of  the  north  wall  of  the  chancel. 
The  various  groups  of  sculptured  figures  represent  the  sleeping 
soldiers,  the  Rising  from  the  Tomb,  the  visit  of  the  Maries,  and 
the  Ascension.  In  the  too-much-despised  Ecclesiastical  Court  of 
the  Crystal  Palace  is  a  faithful  facsimile  of  this  grand  work  in 
plaster. 

Two  other  Notts,  examples  are  worthy  of  special  mention.     At 


76 


ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


Sibthorpe  the  Easter  Sepulchre,  on  the  north  side  of  the  chancel, 
is  also  enriched  with  figure  sculpture.     Two  soldiers  are  crouching 

on  each  side  of  the  niche  for 
the  Blessed  Sacrament ;  above, 
in  the  crocketed  canopy-work, 
is  the  Risen  Lord  and  two 
adoring  angels.  The  sepulchre 
at  Arnold  is  a  fine  piece  of 
bold  carving  of  early  14th- 
cent.  date,  but  unfortunately 
much  mutilated. 

Those  at  Patrington,  Yorks. ; 
Northwold,  Norfolk  ;  and  Hol- 
combe  Burnell,  Devon,  with 
the  same  general  arrangements, 
are  a  century  later  in  date. 

The  Easter  Sepulchre  con- 
tinued to  be  provided  down  to 
the  date  of  the  Reformation ; 
that  at  Tarrant  Hinton,  Dorset, 
is  of  perceptibly  renaissance 
character  in  its  details. 

In  several  cases  we  know 
from  wills  that  an  enriched 
tomb  on  the  north  side  of  the 
chancel  was  specially  designed 
for  the  twofold  purpose  of  serving  as  an  individual  memorial  as 
well  as  for  the  Sepulchre.  Thus  Thomas  Fiennes,  Lord  Dacre, 
directed  that  his  tomb  should  be  prepared  on  the  north  side  of 
Hurstmonceaux  chapel,  "to  be  there  made  for  the  placing  of  the 
Sepulchre  of  Our  Lord,  with  all  fitting  furniture  thereto,  in  honour 
of  the  most  Blessed  Sacrament." 

Another  form  of  Easter  Sepulchre,  which  has  generally  escaped 
observation,  or,  if  noticed,  is  quite  wrongly  described  as  "  an  altar," 
occurs  in  several  West  Somerset  churches.  In  this  case  the 
Sepulchre  assumes  the  form  of  a  chest  tomb,  with  panelled  work 
on  the  front  and  at  the  west  end,  and  usually  bearing  the  symbols 
of  the  Passion.  These  examples,  all  of  the  15th  cent.,  were 
made  to  stand  on  the  north  side  of  the  chancel  with  one  end 
(unsculptured)  against  the  east  wall.     At  Porlock  there  are  two 


EASTER   SEPULCHRE,    ARNOLD,    NOTTS. 


EASTER   SEPULCHRES  ^^ 

of  these  Sepulchres,  one  delicately  carved,  in  its  right  place,  and 
another,  which  was  probably  ejected  in  favour  of  this  better  one, 
I  now  in  the  porch.  Luccombe  has  one,  which  used  originally  to 
stand  in  the  north-east  of  the  chancel ;  it  has  been  shifted  three 
times  during  as  many  restorations,  and  is  now  in  a  hopelessly 
wrong  place.  Milverton  has  another  in  the  true  place.  In 
Selworthy  churchyard  is  an  ejected  Sepulchre  of  this  nature,  used 
for  a  tomb  inscription  at  a  later  date.  There  is  also  an  Easter 
Sepulchre  of  this  description  in  the  church  of  St.  John,  Winchester. 
It  is  evident  from  the  Lincolnshire  churchwarden  returns  of 
1 566,  as  to  what  had  become  of  "  monuments  of  superstition,"  that 
several  of  the  Easter  Sepulchres  of  that  county  were  of  wood.  At 
Burton  Goggles  and  at  Beesby  the  wardens  testified  to  the  burning 
of  the  Sepulchres ;  at  Croxton  they  entered  as  to  the  sepulchre, 
"  whearof  is  made  a  shelfe  to  set  dishes  on  ; "  whilst  at  Castle 
Bytham,  they  made  a  communion  table  of  it.  One  of  these  wooden 
sepulchres  (such,  doubtless,  as  the  one  at  Castle  Bytham)  is  now, 
alas !  in  private  hands  in  the  north  of  Derbyshire,  and  is  said 
to  have  been  ignorantly  ejected  from  the  church  of  Hampton, 
Worcs.  It  is  of  I5th-cent.  date,  and  table  form,  with  panelled 
traceried  sides  ;  it  is  4  feet  3  inches  by  2  feet,  and  nearly  3  feet  high. 

rA  list  of  Easter  Sepulchres 
[The  asterisk  implies  definite  sculptured  treatment.] 

Beds, — ^*Arlesey,  Bletsoe,  Luton. 

Bucks. — Ashendon,  Haddenham. 

Verbs. — Dovebridge,  Staveley  (north  aisle). 

Devon. — West   Alvington,    Frogmore,   Holcombe    Burnell,    South    Pool, 

Woodleigh. 
Dorset. — Dorchester,  St.  Peter's,  Loders  (discovered  1890),  Tarrant  Hinton, 

c^  1530. 
Essex. — Great  Leigh,  Ramsey,  Writtle. 
Glos. — Gloucester,  St.  Mary  Crypt. 
Hants, — Winchester,  St.  John. 
Herts, — Redbourn,  Sandon,  Sarratt,  Tring. 
Leics. — Garthorpe,  Lubbenham. 
Lmcs, —CdiSilQ  Bytham,  Covenham   St.  Mary,   *Heckington,  Honington, 

*Horbling,   Irnham,  *  East   Kirby   (with    offertory  basin),  Langtoft, 

*Lincoln  Cathedral,  *Navenby. 
Middlesex. — South  Mimms. 


7S  ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Norfolk, — Baconthorpe,  Blakeney,    North   Creyke,  Kelling,  *Northwold, 

Raveningham. 
Northants. — Cogenhoe^   Floore,    Grendon,    Lutton,    Marston,    Twywell, 

Watford. 
Notts, — *  Arnold,  *Hawton,  *Sibthorpe. 
Oxon. — Aston    Rowant,    *Bampton,    Ducklington_,    Lewknor,    Magdalen 

College,  Oxford,  Stanton  Harcourt,  Piddington. 
Salop. — Bitterley,  Wroxeter. 

So??terset. — Luccombe,  Milverton,  Porlock,  Selworthy. 
Stiffolk. — Blythburgh,  Gorleston,  Holbrook,  Long  Melford. 
Surrey. — Cranley,  Walton-on-the-Hill. 
Sussex. — Alfriston,  Bosham,  Broadwater,  Catsfield,  Eastbourne,  Hamsey, 

Hastings,  St.  Clement,  Hurstmonceaux,  Lancing,  Ore,  Slaugham. 
Warwicks. — Bilton^  Ladbrooke,  Warwick,  Withybrook  (carved  and  painted), 

Wolverton. 
Worcs. — Hadsor. 
Wilts. — Colerne. 
Yorks. — Hovingham  (sculptured  fragment),  =*Patrington. 


LECTERNS 

It  was  customary  in  the  Middle  Ages  to  have  in  chancels  or 
quires  a  desk  or  lectern  from  which  the  Gospel  was  read ;  these 
were  usually  of  wood  or  metal,  and  movable,  more  rarely  fixed  and 
of  stone.  The  practice  of  the  reformed  Church  has  been  to  bring 
them  out  into  the  body  of  the  church,  and  to  use  them  for  reading 
the  Lessons,  and  it  is  in  the  nave,  just  west  of  the  chancel  arch, 
that  the  comparatively  few  mediaeval  specimens  which  have  come 
down  to  us  are  now  to  be  found. 

The  movable  desks,  whether  of  wood  or  metal,  are  of  two 
forms — the  one  a  simple  desk,  either  single,  twofold,  or  fourfold, 
supported  on  a  pillar ;  the  other,  perhaps  the  more  usual  form,  an 
eagle,  or  rarely  a  pelican,  supporting  the  book  on  its  outstretched 
wings.  As  a  rule  the  simple  desk  is  the  earlier  form,  the  existing 
examples  belonging  to  the  13th  and  14th  cents.,  while  the  eagle 
lecterns  date  from  the  15  th  and  i6th.  The  use  of  the  eagle  lectern 
seems  to  have  revived  in  the  17th  cent.,  and  many  examples  are  of 
that  period,  the  best  of  which  are  those  of  the  cathedral  churches 
of  Wells  (1660),  York  (1666),  and  Lincoln  (1667). 

The  finest  metal  desks  are  at  Merton  College,  Oxford  (engraved 
by    Bloxam),    and   at    Yeovil ;    the    best    examples   of    wooden 


LECTERNS  79 

make  are  those  at  Bury  and  Ramsey,  Hunts. ;  Detling  and 
Lenham,  Kent ;  Lingfield,  Surrey ;  and  Blythburgh,  Suffolk.  Of 
the  old  metal  eagles,  the  most  beautiful  is  that  at  King's  College, 
Cambridge,  and  other  good  examples  may  be  found  at  Cropredy, 
Oundle,  Southwell  (from  Newstead  priory).  Croft,  Lines.,  and 
several  other  places.  At  St.  Stephen's,  St.  Albans,  is  a  brass  eagle 
bearing  the  inscription,  Georgius  Creichtown  Episcopus  Dimkeldensis, 
It  formed  part  of  the  plunder  of  the  abbey  of  Holyrood,  and  was 
brought  here  by  Sir  Richard  Lee.  This  Bishop  of  Dunkeld  ruled 
from  1527  to  1550.  At  Norwich  cathedral  is  a  good  and  early 
specimen,  where  the  pelican  takes  the  place  of  the  eagle.  There 
are  the  remains  of  an  old  wooden  pelican  that  formerly  served  as 
a  lectern  in  the  church  of  East  Leake,  Notts.  Wooden  eagles  are 
somewhat  less  frequent  than  those  of  brass  ;  there  is  a  good  one  at 
Leighton  Buzzard,  and  another  instance  of  the  pelican  in  wood 
at  Middleton,  Hants.  The  brass  lectern  of  Oxburgh,  Norfolk,  is 
inscribed  Orate  pro  anima  Thome  Kyppyng  quandam  rectoris  de 
Narburgh. 

Stone  desks  are  very  rare,  but  examples  are  found  in  the  prior's 
chapel  at  Wenlock  priory,  and  at  Crowle,  Worcs.  Both  are 
beautifully  carved  and  of  Early  English  date ;  that  at  Crowle  is 
said  to  have  been  removed  from  Evesham  abbey.  There  are 
later  and  plainer  desks  of  stone  at  Gloucester  cathedral  and  at 
Chesterblade,  Somerset. 

Stone  Gospel  lecterns  of  a  simple  character,  taking  the  form  of 
a  small  desk  projecting  from  the  north  wall  of  the  chancel,  are  also 
to  be  found  in  a  few  rare  instances,  chiefly  in  Derbyshire,  where 
they  may  be  seen  at  Chaddesden,  Crich,  Etwall,  Mickleover, 
Taddington,  and  Spondon.*  They  also  occur  at  Chipping  Warden, 
Northants ;  at  Roos,  E.  R.  Yorks. ;  and  at  Walsoken,  Norfolk. 

The  quires  of  the  larger  parish  churches,  as  well  as  conventual 
churches,  were  also  not  infrequently  supplied  with  double  desks 
which  stood  in  the  centre,  to  support  the  large  music-books  for 
antiphonal  singing. 

At  Blythburgh,  Suffolk,  is  a  double  wooden  lectern  of  simple 
good  design,  c,  1450,  somewhat  dilapidated,  but  sufficiently 
substantial  to  be  used  for  the  reading  of  the  Lessons  ;  it  is  to  be 
hoped  that  no  effort  will  be  made  to  "  restore  "  it.     This  lectern, 

*  The  Gospel  lecterns  of  Chaddesden  and  Spondon  are  illustrated  under  Almeries  in 
Chap.  IX. 


8o  ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

being  double,  could  not  have  been  a  Gospel  lectern  for  use  in  the 
Mass  ;  it  must  have  been  a  quire  lectern  of  the  kind  just  named. 
Interesting  as  this  lectern  is — it  was  engraved  in  Suckling's  History 
of  Suffolk^  and  has  appeared  in  other  books — it  is  not  so  unique  or 
exceptional  as  is  generally  represented.  There  is  another  double 
wooden  lectern  in  East  Anglia  of  i5th-cent.  date,  in  better 
preservation  and  of  decidedly  superior  design — in  the  church  of 
Shipdham,  Norfolk.  The  Shipdham  example  is,  however,  of  some- 
what later  date,  being  probably  of  the  reign  of  Henry  VII. 

At  Bristol  cathedral  there  is  a  massively  constructed  desk 
mounted  on  wheels,  intended  for  supporting  heavy  service-books 
and  for  moving  them  from  side  to  side  of  the  choir.  It  is  furnished 
with  a  cupboard  to  contain  the  books  when  not  in  use. 

The  remains  of' the  early  lectern  at  Peakirk,  Northants,  are 
thus  described  by  Mr.  Peers  in  vol.  ii.  of  the  Victoria  History 
of  that  county — 

"  The  lectern  is  a  rare  and  interesting  example  of  the  first  half  of  the 
14th  cent.  The  old  revolving  desk  is  unfortunately  lost,  but  the  wooden 
stem,  composed  of  eight  slender  filleted  shafts  with  moulded  capital  and 
base,  is  in  fairly  good  condition,  and  stands  on  an  original  moulded  stone 
base,  an  octagon  set  diagonally  on  a  square.  Traces  of  red  paint  remain 
on  the  wood." 

The  following  is  a  list  of  old  lecterns  (excepting  those  just 
mentioned  in  the  north  chancel  walls),  arranged  under  counties : — 

Beds. — Leighton  Buzzard,  wood  eagle  (14th  cent.). 

Berks. — Bledlow,   wood  eagle;   East   Hendred,  wood;   Sparsholt,  wood 

eagle  (14th  cent.). 
Bucks. — Cublington  (1685);   Chilton,  stone  desk;  Eton  College,  brass; 

Ivinghoe. 
Cambs. — Cambridge,    King's     College^    brass     eagle;     Isleham,    eagle; 

Leverington,  desk. 
Chester. — Astbury,  wood. 
Cornwall. — Phillack,  wood  eagle. 
Devon. — Bigbury,   wood    eagle;    Exeter,    St.    Thomas,   wood;    Newton 

Abbot,  brass ;  Ottery  St.  Mary,  wood  eagle ;  Thurleston. 
Dorset. — Lyme  Regis,  double  (17th  cent.) ;  Wimborne,  brass  eagle  (1623). 
Essex. — Littlebury,  wood;  Newport,  wood. 
Glos. — Bristol,  St.  Mary-le-Port,  eagle  (1683),  removed  from  cathedral; 

Chipping  Camden,  brass  (post-Reformation) ;  Gloucester,  Cathedral ; 

stone  desk;  Maisey  Hampton  (1623),  with  book  chain. 


PELICAN    LECTERN,   EAST   LEAKE,    NOTTS 


LECTERNS  8i 

Hants. — Middleton,    wood    eagle;    Newchurch,    pelican;    Southampton, 

Holy  Rood,  and  St.  Michael's ;  Winchester,  wood  eagle. 
Herts. — St.  Albans^  St.   Stephen,   brass   eagle;   Aldbury,   wooden   desk; 

Wheathampstead,  wood  eagle. 
Hujits, — Bury,  double  wooden   desk  (13th   cent.);  Little  Gidding,  brass 

eagle;  Ramsey,  wooden  desk  (15th  cent). 
Kent. — Canterbury  Cathedral,  brass  eagle   (i6th  cent.);  Detling,  double 

wooden   desk  (14th   cent.);   Lenham,  wooden   desk;   Swanscombe, 

double  wooden  lectern. 
Lines. — Croft,    brass    eagle ;    Edenham,    brass    eagle ;    Epworth,   desk ; 

Lincoln  Cathedral,  brass   eagle  (1667);  Long  Sutton,  brass  eagle; 

Messingham,  wood  ;  Swaton,  wooden  desk. 
Middlesex. — St.  Paul's  Cathedral,  brass  eagle. 
Mons. — Llantilio  Pertholey,  desk. 
Norfolk. — East    Dereham;    East    Harling,  14th   cent,   (recently  stolen); 

Norwich,  Cathedral,  brass   pelican   (14th  cent.),    St.  Gregory,  brass 

eagle ;    Oxburgh ;    Ranworth,   wood  ;   Redenhall ;    Shipdham,  desk ; 

South  Burlingham,  stone;  Wiggenhall,  eagle. 
Norihants. — Oundle,    brass    eagle ;    Peakirk ;    Peterborough    Cathedral, 

brass  eagle. 
Notts. — East    Leake,    wood    pelican;    Southwell    Minster,    brass    eagle 

(from  Newstead  Priory). 
Oxon. — Cropredy,  brass  eagle;   Oxford,  Merton   College   Chapel,   brass 

desk. 
Salop. — Wenlock  Priory,  Prior's  Chapel,  stone  desk  (13th  cent.). 
Somerset. — Brent,  East,  wooden  eagle ;  Chesterblade,  stone  desk ;  Chewton 

Mendip,  wood  (17th  cent.);  Monksilver,  wooden   eagle;  Wedmore, 

wooden  desk;  Wells  Cathedral,  brass  eagle  (1660),  wooden  desk; 

Yeovil,  brass  desk. 
Staffs. — Wednesbury. 
Suffolk, — Blythburgh,  wooden  desk ;  Bury  St.  Edmunds,  brass ;  Cavendish, 

brass  eagle;   Clare,  brass  eagle;  Hawstead,  wooden  desk;  Hopton- 

by-Lowestoft ;  Lavenham ;  Leverington,  wood  eagle ;  Lowestoft,  brass 

eagle. 
Surrey. — Croydon,  brass  eagle;  Lingfield,  double  wooden  desk. 
Warwieks. —  Coventry,  Holy  Trinity,  brass  eagle. 
Wilts. — East  Coulston  (17th  cent.);  Salisbury,  St.  Martin,  brass  eagle. 
Worcs. — Crowle,  stone  desk  (15th  cent). 
Yorks. — Harthill ;   Kirkheaton,  double  wooden   lectern  ;    Laughton-en-le- 

Morthen,  wood  eagle ;  York,  All  Saints,  St.  Crux,  Cathedral,   brass 

eagle  (1666). 


CHAPTER    IV 
SCREENS  AND   ROOD-LOFTS 

ENGLAND  was  pre-eminently,  above  the  rest  of  Western 
Christendom,  the  land  where  the  chancel  or  rood-screen 
most  predominated,  and  whose  surviving  examples  are  far 
more  numerous  and  beautiful  than  in  other  countries.  The  subject, 
therefore,  demands  special  consideration.  During  the  later  Middle 
Ages  almost  every  church  in  England  was  provided  with  a  screen 
to  separate  the  chancel  or  the  quire  of  the  clergy  from  the  laity, 
and  in  parish  churches  this  screen  supported  a  towering  Rood.  In 
a  few  instances  the  screen  was  absent,  and  the  Rood  was  carried  by 
a  simple  beam,  the  rood-beam,  but  the  exceptions  were  so  few 
that  the  screen  may  be  considered  a  necessary  part  of  the  church 
furniture  ;  even  the  smallest  church  now  remaining,  that  at  Culbone, 
has  a  well-developed  chancel  screen.  At  the  time  of  the  Reforma- 
tion the  removal  of  the  Rood  was  ordered,  and  invariably  carried 
out.  Its  removal  usually  also  involved  the  destruction  of  the  rood- 
loft  ;  nevertheless  the  screens  were,  for  the  most  part,  retained,  and 
although  through  neglect  or  wanton  destruction  they  have  ever  since 
been  disappearing,  yet  many  hundreds  still  exist.  In  addition  to 
the  rood-screens,  others,  known  as  parcloses^  separated  chancel  aisles, 
where  they  were  present,  from  the  chancels,  and  most  chapels  were 
.also  screened. 

The  earliest  screens,  of  which  examples  may  be  seen  in  the 
old  Basilican  churches  of  Italy,  were  quite  low ;  but  at  a  some- 
vWthat  later  period  what  has  been  termed  by  a  recent  writer  "  the 
jijnystery  type"  of  screen  predominated  throughout  the  whole  of 
fthe  Orthodox  Churcii  and  in  all  the  distinct  communions  of  the 
^Eastern  rite.  This  was  the  feature  which  was  one  of  the  particular 
.characteristics  of  the  early  Church  in  Britain,  so  far  as  the  evidence 
of  existing  fabrics  speaks.  Their  universal  use  in  every  church, 
.however  small,  was  eminently  En^U^h,  aod  tjxe  pxacess  oi  evolulloja 

8?        ' 


SCREENS   AND    ROOD-LOFTS  83 

that  brought  it  about  seems  to  be  of  Eastern  rather  than  Italian 
origin,  following  primitive  customs  such  as  prevail  in  the  Armenian, 
Coptic,  and  Abyssinian  churches. 

The  sanctuary  was  screened  off  by  at  least  one  partition  from 
the  western  or  more  congregational  part  of  the  building.  The 
small  archway  in  the  wall  at  the  east  end  of  the  nave  communi- 
cating with  the  chancel  or  sacrarium,  was  doubtless  usually  closed 
by  a  curtain  or  veil  in  the  simple  churches  of  the  earlier  Saxon 
days.  Its  survival,  as  recently  pointed  out  by  Mr.  Aymer  Vallance 
in  his  able  paper  on  the  screens  of  Kent,  is  to  be  noted  in  the 
invariable  mediaeval  use  in  England  of  the  Lenten  veil,  whereby 
the  high  altar  and  its  surroundings  were  completely  shut  off  by 
a  great  curtain  or  sheet  of  stained  (painted)  linen,  or  other 
material,  during  the  whole  of  the  forty  days.  This  solemn  Lenten 
veiling  was  but  the  reflection  of  what  had  once  been  the  more 
primitive  method  of  mysteriously  shrouding  the  place  of  the  Sacra- 
mental Presence  from  the  main  body  of  the  church  all  the  year 
round.  A  use  that  had  once  prevailed  unceasingly  became  rele- 
gated to  a  season  of  extra  solemnity.  King  Alfred,  soon  after  his 
triumph  over  the  Danes  in  8y8,  ordained  the  very  heavy  fine  of 
one  hundred  and  twenty  shillings  for  the  offence  of  tearing  down 
the  Lenten  veil.  A  permanent  veil  must  therefore  by  this  date 
have  become  obsolete,  and  as  the  veil  for  constant  use  disappeared, 
a  permanent  screen,  with  a  convenient  door  in  the  centre,  took  its 
place,  to  prevent  undue  intrusion  into  the  sanctuary. 

As  the  "  mystery  "  idea  of  a  more  or  less  permanent  screen  or 
curtain,  secluding  the  sanctuary  from  the  general  worshippers, 
gradually  gave  way  before  the  more  open  view  of  the  Western 
Church,  then  so  largely  prevailing  in  England,  the  desire  came 
about  to  gain  a  better  sight  of  the  chief  altar  than  would  be 
afforded  through  the  small,  single  archway,  already  partially  blocked 
at  all  times  (as  seems  practically  certain)  by  a  wooden  screen. 
Hence  originated  triple  chancel  arches,  or  a  western  chancel  wall 
pierced  by  openings  other  than  the  central  one.  One  of  the  most 
interesting  of  these  pierced  walls  is  to  be  noted  in  the  early 
Norman  village  church  of  Scawton,  N.R.  Yorks.,  on  the  Hambledon 
Hills,  where,  on  the  face  towards  the  nave,  are  two  round-headed 
recesses  (one  on  each  side  of  the  arch),  which  are  pierced  at  the 
back  by  smaller  square  squints.  There  are  openings  of  a  similar 
character  each  side  of  the  small  chancel  arch  in  the  Hampshire 


84  ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

churches  of  Ashley  and  Otterbourne.  About  a  dozen  other 
examples  are  extant.  Opinions  differ,  but  in  each  of  the  three 
cases  just  named  it  is  our  belief,  after  careful  examination,  that  the 
openings  are  later  than  the  arch.  In  the  case  of  Inworth,  Essex, 
where  the  arch,  with  the  general  chancel  construction,  is  almost 
certainly  pre-Norman,  the  openings  each  side  of  the  arch  are  clearly 
after- thoughts.  Contrariwise,  the  central  and  side  archways  into 
the  early  chancel  of  Pyecombe,  Sussex,  are  all  of  the  same  date. 

Remains,  it  is  true,  of  threefold  chancel  archways  occur  in 
a  few  cases  among  the  earliest  of  our  Saxon  churches  ;  but  the 
idea  of  triple  chancel  arches  of  coeval  construction,  which  are 
just  occasionally  found  of  later  date,  doubtless  took  their  rise  from 
these  mere  pierced  walls.  At  Westwell,  Kent,  there  is  a  stone 
screen,  apparently  of  Edward  I.'s  time,  of  good  design  and  execu- 
tion, consisting  of  three  lofty  arches  supported  by  slender  shafts. 
Of  this  triple  arch  form  there  are  other  but  plainer  examples  at 
Wool,  Dorset,  and  Welsh  Newton,  Mons.  Other  instances  of  the 
pierced  chancel  wall  are  to  be  noted  at  Baulking,  Berks.,  and  at 
Sandridge,  Herts.  In  the  latter  case,  the  eastern  face  of  this 
chancel  screen  is  richly  moulded,  whilst  the  western  face  is  plain  ; 
Mr.  Somers  Clarke  is  probably  right  in  his  supposition  that  orna- 
mental wooden  screenwork  originally  stood  against  the  western  face. 

Now  and  again,  but  very  rarely,  a  parish  church  followed  a  not 
unusual  plan  of  large  conventual  or  minster  churches  in  having 
a  substantial  screen  wall  with  a  mere  central  doorway.  This 
form,  of  I4th-cent.  date,  may  be  noted  at  Eastwell,  Leics.,  where 
the  screen  of  solid  masonry  is  pierced  by  a  central  doorway,  which 
has  on  each  side  a  traceried,  unglazed  window.  There  is  a  like 
plan  in  the  church  of  Stockton,  Wilts. 

Another  noteworthy  example  of  the  14th  cent.,  to  which  we 
think  the  so-often-misused  word  "unique"  can  fairly  be  applied, 
occurs  at  Capel-le-Ferne,  near  Dover.  In  this  case  the  wall 
between  the  nave  and  chancel  contains  an  open  arcade  of  three 
small  two-centered  arches,  rising  from  octagonal  shafts.  Over  the 
central  arch  is  another  opening,  which  was  doubtless  constructed  to 
contain  the  Rood  and  its  attendant  figures. 

Continuing  the  brief  mention  of  stone  chancel  sa'eens,  the  note- 
worthy examples  of  Stebbing  and  Great  Bardfield,  both  of  them  in 
Essex,  should  not  be  overlooked.  In  these  instances,  the  chancel 
arch  has  been  filled  with  stone  tracery  after  the  fashion  of  a  large 


SCREENS    AND    ROOD-LOFTS  85 

window.  The  first  of  these,  of  beautiful  early  I4th-cent.  design, 
has  tracery  supported  by  two  clustered  columns  and  like  responds. 
The  mutilated  central  opening  has  been  restored.  The  somewhat 
similar  instance  at  Great  Bardfield  is  of  I5th-cent.  date,  and  is  now 
complete  ;  of  the  three  rood  statues,  the  central  portion  has  been 
reinstated. 

The  number  of  stone  chancel  screens  must  at  one  time  have 
been  very  considerable.  There  are  many  more  yet  extant  than  is 
generally  believed,  as  well  as  a  large  variety  of  old  stone  parcloses 
or  side  screens,  as  is  shown  in  the  subsequent  county  lists. 

A  large  number  of  the  earlier  stone  screens  disappeared  in 
favour  of  wooden  successors  during  the  15th  cent,  when  beautiful 
timber  screenwork,  well  coved  at  the  top,  to  support  wide  rood- 
lofts,  became  the  fashion,  and  spread  from  parish  to  parish.  The 
beautiful  stone  screen  of  Stebbing,  Essex,  showed  obvious  signs, 
prior  to  its  restoration,  of  having  been  rudely  cut  away  to  make 
room  for  an  elaborate  I5th-cent.  wooden  screen  or  loft.  Evidence 
is  supplied  by  pre-Reformation  churchwarden  accounts  of  two 
Somersetshire  cases  in  which  stone  screens  were  cleared  away  to 
make  room  for  their  timber  successors. 

At  Tintinhull,  in  1451-52,  the  accounts  record  the  erection 
of  a  new  rood-loft  and  rood,  on  the  breastwork  of  a  previous 
stone  screen.  But  the  old  rood-loft  was  of  wood,  for  two  oak 
beams,  called  "Hemes,"  named  as  part  de  veteri  rode  lofte^  were 
sold  for  \%d.y  as  well  as  six  joists  for  4^.  The  carpenter  was  paid 
\os.  for  making  the  new  rood-loft,  and  6j.  8^.  for  wainscoting  for 
the  same.  At  Yatton,  a  very  splendid  rood-loft  and  screen  was 
completed  in  1455-56,  in  succession,  it  appears,  to  one  mainly 
of  stone,  for  the  alere,  or  gallery,  of  the  old  rood-loft  was  supported 
on  stone  corbels,  1 2d,  being  paid  for  their  removal.  The  new  rood- 
screen  and  loft  must  have  been  splendidly  carved,  gilded,  and 
painted.  The  carpenter's  account  alone  amounted  to  ;^3i.  Sixty- 
nine  images  were  set  up  about  the  rood-loft ;  they  cost  £i  \Qs,  4^., 
the  setting  of  them  up  4^.,  and  a  penny  was  given  as  "  erneste 
peny  to  the  ymage  maker  "  when  the  covenant  was  made  with  him. 
Some  of  these  images  were  probably  placed  in  small  niches  on  the 
uprights  of  the  screen.  The  carpenter's  name  was  Crosse,  and  it  is 
interesting  to  note  that  the  wardens  expended  2\d.  on  "  ale  gvyn 
to  Crosse  yn  certyn  tyme's  yn  hyS  worke  to  make  hym  wel  wellede 
(well  willed)."     On   another  occasion    Crosse   received  a  pair   of 


86         ENGLISH   CHURCH    FURNITURE 

gloves  (which  cost  4<f.)  as  a  complimentary  fee  on  finishing  a  certain 
portion  of  his  work. 

One  of  the  main  reasons  for  the  elaboration  and  strengthening 
of  chancel  screens,  which  had  their  origin,  as  has  been  already 
noted,  from  mystical  considerations,  was  that  they  might  serve  as 
supports  for  great  Roods  and  their  lofts. 

The  appropriateness  of  placing  the  figure  of  the  Redeemer, 
with  outstretched  arms  attached  to  the  cross,  within  or  without 
the  fabric  of  the  church,  was  recognized  at  an  early  date  in  all 
parts  of  Christendom.  But  in  England,  at  all  events,  the  placing 
of  such  a  Figure  (with  or  without  the  usual  accompaniments  of 
the  Blessed  Virgin  and  the  Beloved  Disciple  on  a  smaller  scale) 
in  an  elevated  position  at  the  entrance  to  the  chancel  was  not 
customary  in  the  pre-Norman  church.  There  is  more  than  one 
instance  in  which  there  was  a  large  Rood  over  the  south  or  main 
entrance  of  a  Saxon  church.  At  Breamore,  Hants,  there  is  the  out- 
line of  a  life-sized  Rood,  with  SS.  Mary  and  John  on  the  once  loth- 
cent.  external  south  wall  of  the  church,  now  covered  by  a  later 
porch.  At  Headbourne  Worthy,  in  the  same  county,  is  the  great 
sculptured  Rood  against  the  west  end  of  the  original  Saxon 
church ;  this  sculpture  was  evidently  considered  of  great  sanctity 
in  the  15th  cent.,  when  a  large  western  annexe  was  built  up  to 
preserve  it  from  exposure.  This  annexe  was  of  two  stages,  the 
upper  one  bearing  an  altar  immediately  below  the  Rood. 

It  seems  impossible  to  decide  when  the  time  came  in  England 
for  placing  the  great  Crucifix  in  that  singularly  appropriate  place, 
the  entrance  to  the  chancel,  so  as  to  rivet  the  attention  of  the 
congregation,  or  of  the  casual  worshipper,  on  the  Sacrifice  of  the 
Virgin-Born.  Doubtless  it  was  a  use  that  came  in  by  degrees  ; 
there  are  evidences  of  its  adoption  in  the  1 3th  cent,  and  it  probably 
occurred  in  various  instances  at  an  earlier  date.  In  the  larger 
churches,  a  rood-beam  {trades  crucifixi)  parted  off  the  sanctuary  at 
the  end  of  the  stalls,  somewhat  after  the  fashion  of  the  far  later 
altar  rails,  and  below  it,  in  some  cases,  a  lighter  screen  than  that 
at  the  entrance  to  the  chancel  was  inserted.  An  example  of  this 
remains  at  the  cathedral  church  of  St.  David's.  Such  an  arrange- 
ment occurred,  at  all  events  occasionally,  in  earlier  times,  in  com- 
paratively small  parish  churches ;  there  are  obvious  traces  of  two 
screens,  or  a  screen  and  a  once-used  rood-beam  beyond  it,  in  the 
church  of  Eastling,  Kent. 


SCREENS   AND    ROOD-LOFTS  87 

This  plan  was,  however,  quite  the  exception  for  a  parish  church, 
and  did  not  long  prevail.  In  some  cases,  especially  where  the  chancel 
arch  was  low,  the  rood  was  affixed  to  a  beam  placed  over  the  summit 
of  the  arch,  with  the  eastern  wall  of  the  nave  as  the  background. 
This  must  have  been  the  case  in  the  early  Norman  church  of 
Frindsbury,  Kent.  An  interesting  example  of  not  only  a  rood- 
beam  but  a  narrow  rood-loft  over  a  low  Norman  chancel  arch 
survives  in  the  Derbyshire  church  of  Wingerworth.  A  strong 
timber  construction  exists  just  above  the  archway,  which  projects 
2  feet  from  the  wall,  serving  as  the  floor  of  a  small  rood-loft ; 
the  front  of  this  woodwork  is  divided  into  panels,  with  floral  bosses 
at  the  intersections.  From  the  grooves  in  the  front  joist  it  is 
evident  that  it  was  originally  protected  by  a  panelled  railing. 
Some  forty  years  ago,  when  the  wall  above  the  loft  was  plastered, 
the  outlines  of  the  great  rood,  with  the  attendant  figures  that  had 
originally  stood  there,  could  be  plainly  perceived.  Restoration  has, 
however,  swept  away  these  outlines,  and  two  ugly  hatchments 
now  disfigure  the  wall  space. 

In  not  a  few  cases  a  curious  result  followed  from  the  congre- 
gation having  become  so  used  to  roods  (sometimes  painted,  but 
generally  wooden  figures)  placed  against  the  solid  background 
above  the  low  Norman  arches.  When,  in  the  13th  and  subsequent 
centuries,  in  the  course  of  rebuilding  or  enlarging  the  chancels,  the 
chancel  arch  was  materially  raised  after  a  Gothic  or  pointed  form, 
it  seemed  expedient  to  many  to  restore  the  former  solid  effect  of 
a  background  to  the  rood  by  filling  up  the  arch  aperture  above  the 
new  screen  with  boarding  or  with  lath  and  plaster.  Hence  came 
about  what  Mr.  Blyth  Bond,  in  his  admirable  papers  on  the 
Devonshire  screens,  terms  (after  the  analogy  of  doorways)  a  screen 
tympanum.  In  the  first  half  of  the  last  century  many  of  these 
tympana  or  fillings-up  remained.  Because  these  tympana  in  the 
Reformation  days  were  generally  whitewashed  over,  and  adorned 
with  royal  arms,  black-letter  texts,  or  Renaissance  patterns, 
ignorant  "restorers"  in  the  first  period  of  the  Gothic  revival 
thought  it  was  one  of  their  first  duties  to  sweep  out  these  tympana, 
believing  them  to  be  intrusions  of  the  second  half  of  the  i6th 
cent.  A  few  valuable  examples  have  been  thus  cleared  out,  even 
during  the  last  decade. 

The  highly  interesting  case  of  Wenhaston,  Suffolk,  was  dis* 
cussed  at  such  length  on  its  recent  discovery  that  only  the  briefest 


88  ENGLISH   CHURCH    FURNITURE 

reference  need  be  here  made  to  it.  The  upper  part  of  the  chancel 
arch  was  filled  up  with  a  whitewashed  boarded  partition.  This 
was  taken  down  in  1892,  and  the  boards  placed  in  the  churchyard. 
A  deluge  of  rain  in  the  night  washed  off  portions  of  plaster, 
exposing  various  painted  figures.  Eventually  this  proved  to  be 
a  remarkable  painting  of  the  Doom,  interrupted  by  the  outlines 
of  a  great  rood,  8  feet  high,  with  the  usual  figures  at  the  side. 
The  actual  wooden  figures  or  images  that  stood  against  the  frame- 
work would  be  cast  down  at  the  Reformation,  and  texts  of  Scripture 
had  been  inscribed  after  the  whole  had  been  well  whitewashed. 
Unhappily,  by  perverse  taste,  this  remarkable  and  fairly  well- 
preserved  painting  has  not  been  replaced  in  the  rebuilt  and  poorly 
designed  chancel  arch,  but  has,  been  fixed  over  a  badly  lighted 
gallery  at  the  west  end  of  the  church. 

The  casual  records  of  chancel  arch  tympana  that  have  dis- 
appeared are  not  infrequent.  The  filling  up  the  arch  of  Hayfield 
church,  Derbs.,  retained  the  actual  painting  of  the  rood  and 
attendant  figures  down  to  its  destruction  in  1818.  The  tympana 
of  the  churches  of  Bridestowe  and  Woodbury,  Devon,  have  recently 
been  swept  away  ;  one  still  remains  at  Raddington,  just  over  the 
border  in  Somersetshire,  and  others  at  Holland  and  Parracombe, 
Devon.  At  Lockington,  Leics.,  over  the  i5th-cent.  chancel  screen, 
is  a  great  tympanum,  with  the  royal  arms  (date  1704)  on  an 
unusually  large  scale,  and  the  Commandments,  Our  Father,  and 
Creed  below ;  it  is  probably  the  successor  of  an  earlier 
tympanum. 

In  the  Essex  church  of  Stondon  Massey  there  are  traces  of  a 
former  boarded  partition  that  extended  right  up  to  the  roof  from 
the  top  of  the  present  screen,  forming  a  background  to  the  rood- 
loft.  At  the  church  of  Bradwell-juxta-Coggeshall,  the  tympanum 
still  exists.  In  this  case,  as  in  others  in  Essex,  the  plain  side  is 
towards  the  nave,  whilst  that  on  which  any  old  ornamental  work 
remains  is  towards  the  east.  The  reason  for  this  is  probably  that 
at  the  Reformation,  in  order  to  get  a  better  surface  for  text 
painting  and  royal  arms,  the  boarded  tympanum  was  turned 
round.  This  reversion,  undoubtedly,  took  place  at  Ludham, 
Norfolk,  when  the  side  on  which  the  Rood  was  painted,  after  a 
certain  degree  of  effacement,  was  turned  towards  the  east,  and 
the  arms  of  Elizabeth,  with  Vivai  Regina  Elizabetha,  were  painted 
on  the  side  towards  the  people.     During  a  last-century  restoration, 


SCREENS   AND    ROOD-LOFTS  89 

a  second  reversion  brought  back  the  old  arrangement  high  up 
above  the  screen.  .  , 

One  of  the  most  interesting  of  these  tympana  arrangements 
still  surviving  is  to  be  seen  in  the  retired  village  church  of  EUing- 
ham,  Hants.  Here  the  space  at  the  back  of  the  rood-loft  over  the 
I5th-cent.  screen  is  filled  up  with  lath  and  plaster,  and  now  bears 
the  Commandments,  Creed,  and  Our  Father,  painted  in  black- 
letter  within  renaissance  borders  ;  below  them  are  two  texts  in 
Bishops'  Bible  version  of  like  Elizabethan  date,  and  also  the  royal 
arms  with  C.R.,  1671,  and  two  texts  of  the  same  date  as  the 
arms. 

At  Pytchley,  Northants,  a  rude  restoration  of  1843  brought 
about  the  destruction  of  the  chancel  screen,  and  an  elaborate 
tympanum  of  spars  and  plaster  above  it  was  pulled  down.  The 
latter  was  a  repainted  pre-Reformation  structure.  The  framework 
of  this  tympanum  was  secured  above  the  tower  arch  against  the 
west  wall  of  the  nave,  where  it  now  remains,  embellished  with 
Fear  God,  Honour  the  King,  the  arms  of  Charles  II.,  sundry  royal 
badges,  and  the  names  of  the  two  churchwardens  for  1661. 

In  Basingstoke  church,  Hants,  the  well-painted  arms  of 
Elizabeth,  with  date  1576,  in  an  elaborate  frame,  now  over  the 
tower  arch,  were  formerly  on  the  chancel  tympanum.  But  space 
is  altogether  insufficient  to  continue  any  further  notes  on  the 
screen  tympanum  question,  a  subject  which  has  hitherto  been 
strangely  neglected  by  the  great  majority  of  ecclesiological  writers. 

Frequent,  however,  as  were  the  instances  of  the  filling  up  of  the 
tops  of  the  lofty  chancel  arches  to  supply  rood  backgrounds,  it 
cannot  be  doubted  that  the  normal  condition  of  things  in  an 
English  Church,  when  the  days  of  low  chancel  arches  and  of 
elaborate  screens  had  set  in,  was  to  have  three  figures  standing 
up  clear  over  the  screen.  As  Mr.  Vallance  so  well  puts  it,  in  his 
article  in  Memorials  of  Old  Kent—''  Beyond  doubt,  the  pre- 
ference was  for  detached  figures,  the  Rood,  with  its  flanking  images, 
reared  in  majestic  isolation,  and  silhouetted  against  only  the 
receding  perspective  of  the  quire." 

This  effect  was  produced  in  two  ways.  The  figures  either 
stood  on  a  rood-beam  above  the  screen  level,  or  else  they  rose 
immediately  from  the  rood-loft  on  the  top  of  the  screen.  The 
former  arrangement  was  by  no  means  infrequent.  In  several 
churches  there   are  fragments  of  substantial   beam-ends,  usually 


90  ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

sawn  off  level  with  the  wall  masonry,  at  such  an  elevation  above 
the  screen  level  as  to  show  that  they  are  the  ends  of  rood-beams. 
Only  two  or  three  instances  need  be  named.  At  Doddington, 
Kent,  there  is  a  fragment  of  a  carved  oak  beam  of  the  13th  cent., 
and  at  Hawton,  Notts.,  remains  of  the  15th  cent.  At  Tunstead, 
Norfolk,  there  is  a  fine  painted  rood-beam,  supported  by  carved 
spandrels,  considerably  above  the  rood-loft.  The  beam  at  Potter 
Heigham,  in  the  same  county,  is  6  feet  above  the  rood-loft,  but  in 
this  case  the  whole  space  seems  to  have  been  filled  up  tympanum 
fashion.  Another  Norfolk  example  occurs  at  Sutton.  A  beam  at 
Minster,  in  Sheppey,  is  painted  with  a  I3th-cent.  pattern.  The 
screen  in  Lamarsh  church,  Essex,  is  of  interest,  because  of  the 
projections  left  on  the  upright  posts  in  order  to  support  the  beam. 

The  most  interesting  example  remains  to  be  noted.  At  the 
east  end  of  the  nave  of  the  church  of  Old  Shoreham,  Sussex,  over 
the  Norman  archway  into  the  crossing  below  the  central  tower,  is  a 
massive  moulded  beam  which  probably  bore  a  small  Rood  ;  it  bears 
the  alternate  billet  moulding,  and  we  see  no  reason  to  doubt  that 
it  is  of  Norman  date.  If  so,  it  is  by  far  the  oldest  beam  of  this 
description  in  any  English  church. 

The  instances  where  stone  corbels  that  formerly  carried  the 
rood-beam  remain  are  very  numerous. 

Our  remarks  throughout  this  book  are  chiefly  intended  to  apply 
to  parish  churches,  and  more  particularly  is  this  the  case  in  the 
consideration  of  rood-screens.  Nevertheless,  it  may  be  well,  in 
connection  with  stone  screens,  to  draw  attention  to  some  of  those 
remaining  in  great  monastic  or  minster  churches.  In  such  churches 
the  arrangement  was  different,  in  that  the  quires  of  the  clergy  were 
completely  shut  off  by  close  screens,  both  at  the  west  and  laterally, 
and  these  screens  were  usually  of  solid  masonry.  The  earliest,  or 
at  least  the  most  rudimentary  division,  of  these  structural  screens 
between  the  quire  of  the  monks  or  canons  and  the  nave  of  the 
people  took  the  form  of  a  wall  completely  dividing  the  two.  This 
arrangement  is  to  be  seen  at  Blyth,  Notts.,  where  it  dates  from 
the  end  of  the  12th  cent.  The  wall  is  here  pierced  by  two 
doors,  one  on  each  side  the  nave  altar,  to  which  it  forms  a  reredos. 
This  wall  has  been  covered  by  a  painting  of  the  Doom,  of  which 
traces  remain. 

Next  in  simplicity,  and  of  all  dates,  is  the  screen  formed  of  a 
plain  wall,  10  to  15  feet  in  height,  pierced  by  one  central  or  two 


SCREENS    AND    ROOD-LOFTS  91 

lateral  doorways,  the  former  at  Malmesbury,  the  latter  at  Boxgrove, 
I  Croyland,  and  Waltham.  This  was  an  occasional  Cistercian  method. 
The  finest  example  is  Prior  d'Estria's  beautiful  screen  at  Canter- 
bury ;  here  his  actual  quire-screen,  pierced  by  a  central  doorway, 
is  now  concealed  by  a  later  addition,  but  the  lateral  portions 
remain  unaltered.  This  screen  is  14  feet  in  height,  and  is  quite 
plain  and  solid  for  about  10  feet,  forming  a  backing  for  the  stalls ; 
above  there  is  a  graceful  open  arcade  of  I4th-cent.  tracery ;  the 
date  of  this  screen  is  1307. 

The  structural  screen  more  often,  however,  took  the  form  of  a 
more  or  less  solid  mass  of  masonry  of  considerable  depth,  pierced 
by  a  central  vaulted  passage  (exceptionally  two  lateral,  as  at  St. 
Albans),  and  supporting  a  gallery  of  some  size,  to  which  access  was 
obtained  by  a  staircase  within  the  screen.  To  screens  of  this  form 
the  name  Pulpitum  was  applied,  and  they  are  sometimes  called 
also  Jtibes,  from  the  first  word  of  the  sentence  Jube  domine 
benedicere,  "  Sir,  give  me  a  blessing,"  as  benedictions  were  some- 
times pronounced  from  this  elevation.  As  in  later  dates,  and 
perhaps  originally,  they  supported  the  organs,  they  are  often  known 
as  organ  screens.  Screens  of  this  form  do  not  occur  before  the 
Decorated  period,  to  which  date  the  most  beautiful  specimens 
belong.  In  some  of  the  best  examples,  as  at  Southwell  and 
Exeter  in  this  style,  in  the  Arundel  screen  at  Chichester,  removed 
but  not  destroyed,  and  in  the  pleasing  example  in  the  little  village 
church  of  Compton  Bassett,  Wilts.,  there  is  an  open  arcade  in 
front  of  the  solid  part  of  the  screen,  furnishing  lateral  altar  recesses 
on  either  side  of  the  door,  and  extending  the  gallery  space  above. 
Of  these,  the  most  beautiful  is  that  at  Southwell,  with  its  curious 
skeleton  vaulting  and  exquisite  carving,  certainly  one  of  the  finest 
ever  built  in  this  or  any  country,  outrivalling  its  sister  at  Lincoln. 

Fine  examples  of  solid  screens  without  the  arcade  are  to  be 
found  at  Lincoln,  of  early  Decorated  style  ;  and  at  Wells,  later  in 
the  same  period  ;  and  at  York,  Howden,  Ripon,  and  Canterbury  of 
Perpendicular  date.  These  are  all  covered  with  architectural  orna- 
ment, either  niches  and  tabernacle  work  or  panelling  ;  the  niches  at 
Canterbury  and  York  retain  their  statuary,  and  those  at  Howden 
•are  now  filled  with  exceptionally  fine  statues  of  an  earlier  date, 
brought  from  another  part  of  the  church.  The  tabernacle  work 
with  which  the  early  screen  at  Rochester  is  now  covered  is  entirely 
►modern  ;  it  was  originally  quite  plain. 


92  ENGLISH   CHURCH    FURNITURE 

At  least  in  some  cases  these  solid  screens  were  introduced  to 
strengthen  faulty  tower  arches  or  piers  ;  it  was  certainly  so  at 
Darlington  and  Wells,  and  at  Chichester  the  removal  of  the  screen 
probably  hastened  the  fall  of  the  centre  tower. 

Solid  lateral  screens  like  those  at  Canterbury  were  not 
commonly  employed  except  by  the  Cistercians  and  Gilbertines, 
but  they  are  found  at  Milton  ;  while  at  St.  Albans  and  Rochester 
the  arches  between  the  quire  and  its  aisles  are  completely  built  up. 
In  the  arches  of  the  apse  at  Norwich  there  are  low  screens  of 
stone,  which  formed  a  back  for  the  original  stalls  of  the  clergy. 

Open-work  screens  are  far  more  common  than  solid  ones,  and 
in  parish  churches  they  were  almost  invariably  employed.  Though 
they  were  deprived  of  their  roods  at  the  Reformation,  their  actual 
destruction  was  not  demanded,  and  more  than  a  thousand  still 
exist.  They  occur  chiefly  as  chancel  screens,  but  there  are  many 
parcloses.  Open  parcloses  are  found  in  several  of  the  great  churches 
where  the  quire  screens  are  of  stone.  Though  the  wooden  screens 
differed  much  in  design,  yet  the  general  arrangement  was  the  same, 
namely,  a  base,  solid  and  generally  divided  into  panels  by  uprights 
or  buttresses,  supporting  a  stage  of  open-work  divided  into  com- 
partments by  shafts  or  muUions,  with  tracery  in  the  heads  of  the 
divisions,  and  completed  by  a  more  or  less  enriched  beam  or  cornice. 
The  centre  division,  in  rood-screens,  formed  the  entrance  to  the 
chancel,  and  was  closed  below  by  doors  which  completed  the  base. 
The  lower  stage  was  often,  especially  in  East  Anglia  and  Devon, 
enriched  by  paintings,  for  the  most  part  representations  of  single 
figures  of  saints,  prophets,  and  doctors  ;  these  screens  are  indicated 
in  the  lists,  by  an  asterisk.  Apart  from  the  pictures,  the  whole 
screen  was  frequently,  if  not  usually,  enriched  with  colour,  traces 
of  which  are  preserved  in  a  large  number  of  examples. 

The  vast  majority  of  existing  screens  belong  to  the  Perpen- 
dicular period,  but  examples  of  the  earlier  styles  are  to  be  found. 
The  earliest  remaining  is  the  wooden  railing  above  the  chancel  arch 
at  Compton,  Surrey,  of  late  Norman  date.  Of  the  Early  English 
style,  examples  occur  at  Kirkstead,  Lines.  ;  Thurcaston,  Leics. ; 
and  Stanton  Harcourt,  Oxon.  They  are  all  of  similar  design — a 
rude  solid  base  and  a  row  of  light  open  arches,  supported  by  circular 
shafts  with  capitals  and  bases,  carrying  a  plain  beam.  A  very 
beautiful  early  Decorated  screen  is  that  at  Northfleet,  Kent.  Later 
instances  of  the  period  are  numerous.     Good  examples  may  be 


SCREENS    AND    ROOD-LOFTS  93 

seen  at  Cropredy,  Oxon.  ;  Edingthorpe,  Merton,  and  Santon 
Downham,  Suffolk  ;  Caversham  and  Deddington,  Oxon.  ;  and 
Beeby,  Leics.  Of  Perpendicular  screenwork,  numerous  beautiful 
examples  are  to  be  found  in  almost  every  county  ;  they  are 
sometimes  plain,  but  generally  enriched  with  buttresses,  pinnacles, 
niches,  and  crockets,  and  their  beams  are  elaborately  carved  with 
foliage,  in  which  the  vine  has  a  prominent  place. 

The  screens  of  the  Eastern  and  Central  counties  are  generally 
the  more  refined  and  delicate  in  workmanship,  those  of  the  West 
the  bolder  and  larger  ;  in  Devon  they  often  extend  unbroken  the 
full  width  of  nave  and  aisles.  A  western  peculiarity  is  that  the 
open  stage  is  treated  as  a  continuous  range  of  windows,  generally 
of  four  lights  each,  as  at  Dartmouth  and  Berry  Pomeroy ;  whereas, 
in  the  rest  of  England  each  light  is  treated  as  a  separate  com- 
position. In  East  Anglia  the  use  of  a  double  plane  of  tracery  gives 
an  effect  of  peculiar  richness. 

Screens  continued  to  be  constructed  after  the  Reformation,  and 
various  post-Reformation  screens  are  included  in  the  following 
lists.  The  most  interesting  are  at  Staindrop,  Sedgefield,  and 
Brancepeth,  all  in  Durham — a  county  peculiarly  rich  in  post- 
Reformation  woodwork,  where  Gothic  forms  are  used — and  at 
Cartmel.  The  screen  at  the  last-named  is  Renaissance  in  character, 
and  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  examples  of  wood  carving  in 
England  It  is  double  throughout,  and  is  returned  north  and  south 
to  form  a  backing  and  a  continuous  canopy  for  the  stalls  ;  it  also 
carries  a  loft  or  gallery.  Other  vigorous  if  rude  screens  of 
Renaissance  detail  are  those  of  St.  John's,  Leeds,  and  at  Abbey 
Dore. 

Rood-screens  frequently  carried  a  narrow  gallery,  the  rood-loft, 
which  has  in  the  large  majority  of  cases  perished,  the  stair  by 
which  it  was  approached  being  usually  the  only  evidence  of  its 
former  existence.  There  were  three  ways  in  which  the  loft  was 
supported.  In  the  first  a  stout  beam  was  placed  parallel  to  the  top 
bar  of  the  screen,  and  about  2  feet  in  advance  of  it.  On  these 
two  beams  a  floor  rested,  and  the  gallery  was  protected  front  and 
back  by  panelling.  A  very  fine  example  exists  at  Flamborough, 
and  another  at  Hubberholme,  a  retired  village  a  few  miles  from 
Skipton. 

In  the  second  method  the  screen  supported  a  deep  cove,  as  at 
Ludlow,  or  a  semi-vault,  as  at  Berry  Pomeroy,  both  front  and  back. 


94  ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

and  the  expanded  top  thus  formed  carried  the  gallery.  It  is  in 
these  cases  that  the  loft  has  been  most  frequently  preserved,  pro- 
bably because  its  removal  could  not  be  effected  without  injury  to 
the  screen.  Most  of  the  surviving  examples  are  in  the  county  of 
Devon. 

The  least  frequently  adopted  method  of  supporting  the  loft  was 
by  means  of  two  parallel  screens,  from  2  to  3  feet  apart,  the 
space  between  them  being  roofed  in  by  planks,  which  formed  a 
floor  to  the  rood-loft  ;  the  screen  at  Edington,  Wilts.,  is  of  this 
kind. 

The  Roods  themselves  were  so  completely  destroyed  that  not  one 
English  example  remains  in  situ,  and  probably  not  one  in  existence, 
but  at  Cullompton  the  carved  Calvary  on  which  the  cross  stood  has 
been  preserved.  It  has  been  carved  out  of  the  butts  of  two  oak 
trees,  and  is  carved  to  represent  rocks,  with  skulls  and  cross 
thighbones  and  shoulder-blades  resting  upon  them. 

The  Welsh  churches  are  not  included  in  this  volume,  but  an 
exception  must  here  be  made  in  favour  of  the  church  of  Mochdre, 
Montgomeryshire,  where  the  old  rood  figures  of  our  Lord  and  the 
Blessed  Virgin  were  found  on  the  top  of  the  wall-plate  during  a 
restoration  in  1867.  The  figures  are  now  in  the  Powysland 
Museum. 

The  following  is  a  description  of  them,  taken  from  a  paper  by 
Archdeacon  Thomas  on  "Montgomeryshire  Screens  and  Rood- 
lofts"  {ArchcBologia  Cambrensis,  Sixth  Series,  vol.  iii.  p.  96),  where 
they  will  be  found  illustrated  : — 

"  The  cross  to  which  the  figure  of  our  Lord  was  attached  is  gone,  and 
the  figure  itself  is  somewhat  mutilated  and  decayed.  The  height  of  the 
figure  is  19  inches;  the  arms  and  feet  are  gone.  The  head,  with  its  crown 
of  thorns,  is  bent  forward ;  the  hair  full,  the  brow  deeply  furrowed,  and  an 
expression  of  pain  rests  upon  the  face.  The  carving  is  roughly  executed, 
but  the  general  effect  is  expressive  and  sad.  The  figure  of  the  Virgin  is 
I  foot  3I  inches  high,  and  stands  on  a  pedestal  i|  inch.  She  is  represented 
in  a  long,  flowing  robe,  with  a  long  veil  falling  down  her  back^  and  a  cloak 
gathered  round  the  shoulders.  She  appears  to  have  worn  a  crown,  but  the 
wood  is  much  worm-eaten  and  decayed,  and  the  hands  and  nose  are  gone. 
The  whole  shows  remains  of  colouring  in  white,  gold,  and  vermilion." 

As  to  the  use  of  the  parish  rood-screen,  it  has  been  confidently 
asserted,  and  is  even  now  frequently  repeated,  that  the  chief  use  of 
the  loft  over  the  screen  was  to  supply  a  place  from  which  the 


SCREENS    AND    ROOD-LOFTS  95 

Gospel  might  be  read.  This  mistake  arose  by  confusing  the 
ordinary  screen  with  the  pulpitum  of  a  quire  proper.  It  must 
always,  however,  be  remembered  that  the  rood-loft,  although  it 
was  doubtless  suggested  by  the  ptdpitum  and  served  some  of  its 
uses,  was  a  distinct  arrangement.  Broadly  speaking,  the  common 
English  use  of  a  rood-loft  (in  addition  to  giving  ready  access  to 
the  figures,  and  for  purposes  of  lighting  and  garnishing)  was  that 
of  a  music  gallery.  The  more  the  matter  is  studied  by  searches  in 
early  churchwarden  accounts  and  in  mediaeval  wills,  the  more 
thoroughly  does  this  statement  become  substantiated  as  the  main 
purpose. 

One  emphatic  and  common-sense  argument  against  the  Gospel- 
reading  theory  is  that  the  stairways  contained  in  the  walls  leading 
to  the  rood-loft  are,  as  a  rule,  so  narrow  and  rough  as  to  make  it 
almost  an  impossibility  for  any  one  clad  in  comely  church  vestments 
to  make  the  ascent.  There  are,  perhaps,  only  some  three  or  four 
cases  in  the  whole  of  England  in  which  the  stairway  to  the  loft  of  a 
parish  church  is  of  sufficient  size  to  permit  the  decent  ascent  of  a 
vested  priest,  and  in  each  of  such  cases  there  seems  to  have  been  a 
special  reason  for  its  width  apart  from  any  consideration  pertaining 
to  the  loft  itself.  At  Minehead,  Somerset,  the  very  wide  and 
largely  windowed  staircase  which  gives  access  to  the  loft  was  of 
such  a  size  to  permit  of  it  serving  as  a  lighted  beacon  for  ships 
seeking  the  harbour.  Again  at  Wrotham,  Kent,  where  the  stairway 
measures  30  inches  from  the  newel  to  the  wall,  the  steps  are 
continued  to  give  easy  access,  after  a  curious  fashion,  to  the  roofs 
on  both  sides  of  the  nave. 

The  study  of  the  rood-loft  stairways  all  over  the  country  shows 
that  they  are  in  many  cases  remarkably  worn  ;  and  this  to  such 
an  extent  that  it  is  by  no  means  uncommon  to  find  them  recapped. 
At  Horning,  Norfolk,  they  are  actually  recapped  with  thin  slabs  of 
Purbeck  marble.  *  This  circumstance  proves  that  the  lofts  were  in 
much  more  general  and  frequent  use  than  would  be  the  case  if 
their  main  function  had  been  to  supply  a  place  from  which  the 
Gospel  might  be  read  at  High  Mass. 

The  instances  that  occur,  which  appear  at  first  sight  to  favour 
the  Gospel-reading  idea,  can  all,  we  think,  be  shown  to  refer  to 
minster,  conventual,  or  collegiate  churches,  where  the  loft  took 
the  form  of  the  old  pulpitum.  An  Edward  VI.  inventory  of  the 
church    at    Wingham,    Kent,    records    particulars    of   a   dispute 


96  ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

concerning  the  ownership  of  a  silver-gilt  processional  cross.  A 
reference  is  made  as  to  the  clerk  returning  with  the  cross  in  his 
hand  on  the  Feast  of  Corpus  Christi,  four  years  before,  "  when  the 
priest  had  read  the  Gospel  in  the  rood-loft."  But  Wingham  was 
no  ordinary  parish  church  ;  it  was  a  collegiate  establishment  of  a 
rector  and  six  canons  with  full  quire  offices. 

In  Fox's  Aci(s  and  Monuments  a  very  singular  story  is  told  as 
to  the  loft  of  another  Kentish  church.  In  the  reign  of  Queen 
Mary  an  officious  local  justice,  who  had  a  spite  against  the  rector 
of  Smarden,  bored  holes  in  the  panelling  of  the  rood-loft  of  that 
church  in  order  that  he  might  therefrom,  unobserved  by  the  parish 
priest  and  others,  command  a  view  of  the  congregation  in  the 
nave,  with  a  view  to  the  future  punishing  of  any  one  who  com- 
ported himself  irreverently  during  Mass.  The  logic  of  this  case, 
as  Mr.  Vallance  points  out,  is  inconsistent  with  any  common  use 
of  the  loft  by  the  priest  at  Mass  time,  for  the  rector  and  the  justice 
were  admittedly  on  bad  terms  with  each  other. 

Another  of  the  numerous  arguments  against  the  regular 
ceremonial  use  of  these  lofts  is  that  in  at  least  two  cases,  one  at 
Winchester  and  one  in  Kent,  the  old  entrance  to  the  rood-loft  was 
on  the  outside  of  the  church. 

It  is  true,  however,  that  these  lofts  were  in  a  few  instances  used 
for  a  far  more  definite  religious  purpose  than  the  mere  reading  of 
the  Gospel.  It  is  an  undoubted  fact  that  now  and  again  there  was 
an  actual  altar  and  occasional  Celebrations  within  the  loft  at  the 
very  foot  of  the  Rood.  In  such  cases  there  was  probably  some 
small  convenience  for  the  vesting  of  the  celebrant  after  he  had 
gained  this  elevated  position. 

In  Pugin's  Glossary,  the  case  of  the  church  of  St.  Morrice, 
Vienne,  is  cited,  where  the  parochial  altar  was  in  the  centre  of  the 
rood-loft.  From  the  traces  that  yet  remain  in  England,  it  seems 
that  such  a  position  was  commoner  in  the  smaller  churches  of 
England  than  on  the  Continent.  Particularly  interesting  evidences 
of  the  rood-loft  altar  are  to  be  noted  at  the  church  of  Little 
Hereford,  Herefords..  In  that  instance  the  nave  is  divided  from 
the  chancel  by  a  very  thick  wall,  pierced  by  a  small  pointed 
chancel  arch  without  impost.  Under  it,  in  the  thickness  of  the 
wall,  a  door  opens  on  to  the  steps  that  led  to  the  former  rood-loft. 
Above  the  chancel  arch  is  a  lofty,  pointed  recess  with  a  project- 
ing sill ;  at  the  south  end  of  this  sill  is  a  piscina  niche   in  good 


SCREENS   AND    ROOD-LOFTS  97 

preservation.  The  level  of  the  loft  altar  can  still  be  traced  on  the 
wall  by  a  slightly  projecting  ledge,  and  a  little  above  this  altar-sill 
is  another  ledge,  which  seems  to  have  served  for  lights.  Rood- 
loft  piscinas,  which  may  fairly  be  taken  as  evidence  of  the  former 
presence  of  altars  in  that  position,  may  also  be  seen  at  Maxey, 
Northants  ;  Burghill  and  Wigmore,  Herefords. ;  Bilton,  Chester- 
ford,  and  Church  Lawford,  Warwicks. ;  Horningsea,  Cambs. ;  Great 
Hallingbury,  Essex  ;  Eastbourne  and  New  Shoreham,  Sussex  ;  and 
Oddington,  Oxon.  There  are  traces  of  the  rood-altar  slab  at 
Dallingworth,  Glos. ;  and  there  are  also  remains  which  seem  to 
betoken  the  former  presence  of  an  altar  in  like  positions  in  at  least 
half  a  dozen  other  instances. 

These  examples  all  occur  in  connection  with  parish  churches 
of  our  villages  ;  but  it  is  also  well  known  that  there  is  proof  of 
several  of  our  cathedral  or  minster  churches  having  altars  on  the 
pulpiticm  in  like  elevated  positions.  In  the  case  of  the  cathedral 
church  of  Lichfield,  an  interesting  application  was  made  about  the 
close  of  the  15th  cent,  for  a  dispensation  to  move  an  altar  of  some 
celebrity  from  off  the  loft  to  the  ground  floor,  because  there  was 
some  danger  of  a  fall  for  both  celebrant  and  worshippers  if  old  and 
infirm. 

The  endowment  of  a  rood-loft  altar  in  the  parish  church  of 
Grantham  is  recorded  on  the  Patent  Roll  of  1349.  The  entry 
records  a  covenant  made  by  the  abbot  of  Vaudey  to  pay  £\ 
yearly,  in  three  equal  portions,  to  three  perpetual  secular  chaplains 
to  say  mass  daily,  at  different  hours  and  altars,  for  the  souls  of 
two  rich  wool-staplers,  benefactors  of  the  abbey,  in  Grantham 
church.  The  first  of  these  refers  to  John  Moine  and  his  successors, 
who  were  to  celebrate  at  the  altar  in  solarioy  that  is  the  rood-loft 
gallery,  before  the  great  Rood  in  the  midst  of  the  church,  after  the 
first  stroke  of  the  bell  called  "  day  belle,"  which  seems  to  have 
been  rung  at  4  a.m. 

The  lofts  of  the  parish  churches  at  Newark,  Notts.,  Lulling- 
stone,  Kent,  Dunster,  Somerset,  and  few  others,  have  wide 
projections  about  the  centre.  These  projections  are  generally 
supposed  to  have  been  to  provide  extra  space  for  an  organ.  It  is, 
however,  quite  possible  that  they  were  supplied  for  a  diminutive 
altar,  particularly  as  in  several  cases  where  there  is  distinct 
evidence  of  the  presence  of  a  loft  organ,  as  at  Hartland,  Devon, 
no  kind  of  a  projection  is  to  be  found. 
II 


98  ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Mr.  Micklethwaite,  whom  we  have  already  quoted,  says  of 
these  rood-lofts  that  "  certain  parts  of  the  services  were  sung  there, 
and  it  was  occupied  by  the  minstrels,  vocal  and  instrumental, 
whom  it  was  the  custom  for  well-to-do  parishes  to  hire  to  sing  the 
service  on  High  Days.  These  minstrels  sang  pricksong,  whereas 
the  custom  of  the  older  Collegiate  churches  was  to  use  only  plain- 
song  in  quire."  Of  St.  Mary's  church.  Sandwich,  in  the  15th  cent., 
"we  know,"  writes  Canon  Scott  Robertson,  "that  organs  were 
placed  in  the  rood-loft,  and  the  parish  paid  various  sums  to 
musical  priests  for  playing  these  organs."  The  parish  churches  of 
Louth,  Lincoln,  and  St.  Laurence,  Reading,  may  also  be  mentioned 
as  yielding  definite  evidence  of  organs  in  the  rood-loft. 

The  last  set  of  pre-Reformation  churchwardens'  accounts  that 
have  been  printed  are  those  of  St.  Mary-at-Hill,  City  of  London, 
which  are  of  the  greatest  value,  and  have  been  ably  edited  by  Mr. 
Littlehales.  These  accounts  for  1496-97  contain  many  details  as  to 
the  cost  of  removing  the  old  rood-loft,  and  the  erection  and  beauti- 
fying of  its  successor.  The  entries  for  painting  and  carving  the 
new  figures  on  the  loft,  and  for  mending  the  old  Rood,  which  was 
re-used,  are  of  particular  interest — " 

^^  Hem,  to  Sir  John  Plomer  for  makying  of  the  fygyrres  of  the 
Roode.     xxd. 

"  Ite?n,  to  the  karvare  for  makying  of  iij  dyadems,  and  of  oon  of  the 
Evangelystes,  and  for  mendyng  the  Roode,  the  Crosse,  the  Mary  and 
John_,  the  Crown  of  Thorn,  with  all  odyr  fawtes.     Summa  xs. 

^^  Item,  paid  to  undirwood  for  payntyng  and  gylding  of  the  Roode,  the 
Crosse,  Mary  and  John,  the  iiij  Evangelistes  and  iij  dyadems ;  with  the  ij 
nobillas  that  I  owe  to  hym  in  monye.     Summa  vli. 

*'  Summa  vli  xjs.  xd." 

The  carpenter  and  his  man,  for  ten  days'  labour,  received 
6s.  Zd.  The  blacksmith  was  paid  \2s.  4d.  for  24  pounds  of  new 
iron  to  lengthen  the  stay-bar  of  the  rood  that  passed  from  wall  to 
wall,  for  20  pounds  of  new  iron  for  four  other  stays,  for  44  pounds 
of  iron  for  the  long  bolt  that  came  down  from  the  roof,  and  for 
staples  and  spikes  to  fasten  it  to  the  roof.  There  was  also  a  pay- 
ment of  2d.  "  for  ij  hookes  for  the  lentyn  cloth  byfor  the  Roode." 
Underwood,  the  painter,  received  6s.  8d.  for  a  reward,  in  addition 
to  his  covenant  for  £s. 

The   accounts    for   the   year    1 501-2    contain  mention  of  the 


I 


SCREENS   AND    ROOD-LOFTS  99 

expenditure  of  a  small  sum  "  For  makying  of  a  lectorne  in  the 
Roodloft."  There  is  no  positive  evidence  that  the  lectern  on 
this  particular  rood-loft  was  made  for  the  accommodation  of  the 
organist,  or  conductor  of  the  music,  but  such  a  conclusion  from 
analogy  seems  fairly  obvious.  It  is  also  almost  certain  that  the 
organ-blower,  to  whom  there  is  such  frequent  reference  throughout 
the  century  in  these  old  accounts,  was  also  stationed  on  the  rood-loft. 
His  usual  fee  was  2d.  a  week,  and,  for  the  most  part,  it  was  only 
on  Sundays  and  festivals  that  the  organ  was  in  use.  The  sum  of 
I2d.  was  paid  yearly  to  the  organ-maker  for  the  supervision  of  the 
instrument. 

At  the  church  of  St.  Stephen,  Walbrook,  City  of  London,  an 
inventory  of  the  reign  of  Edward  IV.,  after  mentioning  that  there 
was  on  the  rood-loft,  in  addition  to  the  rood  and  subsidiary  images, 
a  relic-chest  containing  many  relics,  adds — 

"  Also  in  the  same  rode  lofte  is  a  payre  orgons  and  a  1yd  over  the  keys 
with  lok  and  kye,  of  Borton  Wy  vis  gifte,  grocer.  Also  a  stondying  lecterne 
for  to  ley  on  a  boke  to  pleye  by.  Also  a  stole  to  sit  on  whan  he  pleythe  on 
the  orgons." 

The  parish  accounts  of  St.  Petrock's,  Exeter,  for  1472-73, 
contain — 

"  Item,  To  Walter  Abraham  for  making  a  seat  in  the  Rodelofte  when 
playing  on  the  orgonys,  viji"." 

Space  prohibits  the  quoting  of  more  than  one  other  evidence 
of  the  musical  use  of  these  lofts,  though  much  more  could  be 
adduced. 

Marten,  who  lived  at  the  time  of  the  Reformation,  in  his 
graphic  description  of  the  exact  state  of  the  fine  church  of  Long 
Melford,  Suffolk,  says  : — 

"  There  was  a  fair  rood-loft,  with  the  rood_,  Mary  and  John  on  every 
side,  with  a  fair  pair  of  organs  standing  thereby,  which  loft  extended  the 
breadth  of  the  church  \  and  on  good  Friday  a  priest  then  standing  by  the 
rood  sang  the  Passion ;  the  side  whereof  towards  the  body  of  the  church, 
in  twelve  partitions  in  board,  was  fairly  painted  with  images  of  the  twelve 
Apostles." 

The  singing  of  the  Passion  from  the  loft  on  Palm  Sunday 
seems  also  to  be  implied  from  an  entry  in  the  accounts  of  St. 
Laurence's,  Reading. 


loo        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Attention  is  sometimes  drawn  to  the  many  instances,  up  and 
down  the  country  (about  thirty  all  told),  in  which  the  lower  panels 
of  the  screens  have  been  pierced  with  small  openings.  Examples 
occur,  inter  alia,  at  Mautby,  Norfolk ;  Handborough,  Stanton 
Harcourt,  and  South  Leigh,  Oxon.  ;  Guilden  Morden,  Cambs.  ; 
Orsett,  Bradwell,  and  Shalford,  Essex  ;  Hessett  and  Santon 
Downham,  Suffolk  ;  Hawton  and  Wysall,  Notts. ;  Burton,  Bury, 
Bignor,  and  Rye,  Sussex ;  and  Winteringham,  E.  R.  Yorks. 
Many  of  these  little  apertures — for  in  several  instances  there  are 
from  three  or  four  to  a  dozen  of  such  holes  in  the  panels  of  a 
single  screen — have  been  cut  through  with  care,  and  sometimes 
assume  the  form  of  a  small  quatrefoil,  or  of  a  Latin  or  Greek 
cross.  In  other  instances  the  holes  are  of  quite  a  rough  descrip- 
tion. They  vary  in  size  from  8  inches  to  2  inches  in  length,  and 
from  2j  inches  to  i  inch  in  breadth.  For  the  most  part,  where 
the  old  levels  have  been  preserved,  they  are  about  the  height  of 
the  face  of  an  adult  kneeling  on  the  western  side.  The  opinion 
has  been  widely  expressed  that  these  holes  were  cut  for  the  con- 
venience of  the  penitent  confessing  to  the  priest  seated  within  the 
screen.  That  the  chancel  screen  was  the  usual  place  for  hearing 
confessions  in  the  pre-Reformation  Church  of  England  may  be 
taken  as  an  accepted  fact  ;  but  it  would  certainly  be  wise  to  with- 
hold any  general  judgment  as  to  the  use  of  these  apertures,  which 
were  apparently  an  after-thought  subsequent  to  the  erection  of  the 
screen.  The  most  that  can  be  safely  said  as  to  their  confessional 
purpose  is  that  this  may  just  possibly  have  been  their  use  in 
certain  cases.     In  other  cases  it  is  quite  impossible. 

Holes  of  this  kind,  for  whatever  purpose,  could  not  possibly 
have  been  of  general  use.  In  one  of  the  most  populous  and 
thriving  parts  of  mediaeval  England — namely,  East  Anglia — where 
glorious  rood-screens  abounded  more  than  anywhere  else,  the  lower 
panels  were,  as  a  rule,  enriched  with  noble  paintings  of  the  saints 
on  costly  diapered  backgrounds.  In  Norfolk  alone  there  are  extant 
at  the  present  day  above  eighty  of  these  panel-painted  screens  in 
a  more  or  less  perfect  condition.  The  same  was  true  of  a  large 
proportion  of  the  beautiful  screens  of  Devonshire. 

The  juxtaposition  of  these  holes  makes  it  impossible  that,  in 
cases  where  there  are  two  or  three,  or  more,  they  could  have  been 
used  by  several  penitents  at  the  same  time.  If  they  were  for  con- 
fession, we  might  naturally  expect  a  single  hole  in  a  panel  on  the 


SCREENS    AND    ROOD-LOFTS  loi 

south  side,  or  one,  at  most,  on  each  side.  Then,  again,  it  must  be 
remembered  that  in  the  large  majority  of  cases  there  were  return- 
stalls  against  the  further  side  of  the  screen  facing  the  east,  and 
their  position  would  be  most  singularly  awkward  for  a  priest  listen- 
ing to  a  penitent.  In  fact,  if  those  who  favour  the  confessional 
theory  would  but  try  on  the  chancel  side  to  test  what  possible  kind 
of  position  the  priest  would  have  to  assume  to  bring  his  ear  near 
to  the  aperture,  we  believe  that  little  more  would  be  said  on  the 
subject. 

If,  however,  the  holes  were  not  made  for  the  purpose  of  breath- 
ing confessions  through  them — and,  surely,  the  average  priest  would 
have  been  able  to  hear  the  penitent  just  as  well  over  the  rail  of 
the  screen  a  few  inches  above  these  holes — whatever  could  have 
been  their  object  ?  At  all  events,  a  better  surmise  is  that  they 
may  have  been  made  to  enable  kneeling  people  to  see  the  altars 
beyond,  and  more  particularly  the  elevation  of  the  Host ;  whilst 
the  lower  openings  would  serve  for  children.  This  would  account 
for  such  piercings  being  frequently  found  in  side  screens  before 
chapel  altars,  as  well  as  in  the  main  rood-screen.  When  the 
taste  and  fashion  for  elaborating  not  only  rood-screens  on  a  more 
substantial  basis,  but  also  the  parclose  screens  that  shut  off  the 
side  altars,  in  the  15th  cent,  came  about,  many  a  worshipper  who 
had  been  in  the  habit  of  kneeling  during  Mass  at  the  east  end 
of  the  nave  or  of  the  aisles,  would  find  his  view  of  the  altar  cut  off 
by  substantial  panelling,  unless  he  was  able  to  take  up  a  position 
almost  exactly  in  the  centre.  It  is  easy  to  imagine  that  in  many 
of  these  cases  the  worshipper  would  be  anxious  to  obtain  an  un- 
interrupted view,  as  aforetime,  and  might  therefore  obtain  sanction 
to  have  these  small  openings  made.  We  do  not  venture  to  dogma- 
tize on  this  matter,  but  merely  to  present  the  view  that  these 
openings  were  far  more  probably  of  a  hagioscope  than  confessional 
character. 

County  Lists  of  Screens 

The  counties  which  are  most  celebrated  for  the  number, 
excellence,  and  variety  of  their  screens  are  Devonshire,  Lincoln- 
shire, Norfolk,  Somerset,  and  Suffolk.  In  the  second  class  may 
be  placed  Bedfordshire,  Cambridgeshire,  Derbyshire,  Essex,  Kent, 
Northamptonshire,  and  Oxfordshire.     There  is  practically  nothing 


I02        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

to  record  about  old  screenwork  in  Cumberland,  Northumberland,  and 
Westmoreland,  save  the  grand  example  of  a  pulpitiim  at  Hexham. 

In  the  following  lists  (for  which  no  completeness  or  absolute 
accuracy  are  claimed),  arranged  under  counties,  the  screens  are 
to  be  taken  as  probably  15  th  cent,  or  early  i6th  cent.,  unless 
another  century  is  specified. 

t  implies  that  there  is  a  rood-loft,  or  at  least  a  rood-loft  floor. 

*  implies  panels  with  painted  figures. 

(p.)  implies  parclose,  or  some  form  of  screenwork  other  than 
chancel  screen. 

Bedfordshire 

There  is  an  open  stone  screen  of  I5th-cent.  date  at  Blunham 
dividing  the  chancel  from  the  south  chapel. 

The  wooden  screenwork  of  the  county  is  of  more  than  usual 
interest  and  extent.  Felmersham  has,  alas !  of  recent  years 
lost  its  rood-loft.  The  screen  which  used  to  bear  the  loft  is 
in  the  eastern  arch  of  the  central  tower,  and  the  loft  was  for 
some  time  transformed  into  a  ringing  stage.  This  screen,  which 
is  richly  painted,  is  c.  1500,  and  bears  an  inscription  showing 
that  it  was  erected  by  Richard  and  Annete  King.  Tilbrook 
(recently  transferred  to  the  county  of  Huntingdon)  is  another 
example  of  a  richly  painted  screen  that  retains  its  rood-loft. 
Pertenhall  is  a  fine  instance  of  a  richly  traceried  screen,  which 
retains  much  of  its  original  painting  and  gilding.  Portions  of  a 
former  beautifully  painted  rood-screen,  with  saints  on  panels,  are 
now  fixed  against  the  north  and  south  walls  of  the  tower.  The 
lower  part  of  the  old  rood-screen  of  Marston  Mortaine  has  painted 
panels  of  saints.  Two  old  figure  panels  of  the  former  screen 
hang  in  the  church  of  Kempston.  Oakley  has  remains  of  a  once 
finely  painted  screen,  and  the  lower  panels  with  figure  paintings 
are  also  extant  of  the  screen  of  Roxton.  The  lower  stage  of  the 
old  rood-screen  of  Little  Barford  is  decorated  with  red  and  white 
roses. 

The  rood-screens  of  Gravenhurst  and  Potsgrove  are  of  14th- 
cent.  date.  The  rest  of  the  screenwork  of  the  county,  including 
several  well-carved  parclose  screens  at  Luton,  Cople,  Shillington, 
etc.,  are  of  the  second  half  of  the  15th  or  early  i6th-cent.  date. 

The  rood-screen  at  Higham  Gobion,  described  by  Parker  in 
1848,  disappeared  during  the  "restoration"  of  1880. 


SCREENS   AND    ROOD-LOFTS  103 

Little  Barford,  Bedford  St.  Paul's,  Bolnhurst,  Carlton  (part),  Clifton  * 
(parts),  Cople  (p.).  Dean  (and  p.),  Dunstable,  Eaton  Socon  (p.), 
Elstow  (fragment),  Felmersham  f,  Gravenhurst  (14th),  Harrold, 
Houghton  Conquest  (p.),  Kempston  *  (parts),  Langford,  Leighton 
Buzzard  (p.),  Luton  (p.),  Marston  Mortaine  *  (base  and  p.),  Milton 
Ernest  (p.),  Oakley  "'  (parts),  Odell,  Pertenhall  f,  Potsgrove  (14th), 
Roxton"'  (parts),  Sharnbrook  (p.),  Shillington  (p.),  Stagsden  (part), 
Stevington  (part),  Swineshead,  Tempsford,  Tilbrook  *  f  (restored), 
Wootton  (restored). 

Berkshire 

has  an  interesting  piece  of  screenwork,  c.  1360,  across  the  en- 
trance to  the  south  transept  of  the  church  of  Sparsholt ;  it  con- 
sists of  a  series  of  slight  banded  shafts  supporting  cinquefoil-headed 
arches,  and  is  illustrated  in  Parker's  Glossary.  At  East  Hendred 
a  canopied  screen  sustains  the  floor  of  a  rood-loft. 

In  Parker's  Ecclesiastical  Topography  (1848),  it  is  stated  under 
Drayton  that  "  the  rood-loft,  with  its  groining  and  painting,  is  nearly- 
perfect  on  both  sides,  but  has  a  modern  front  and  is  used  as  a 
gallery ; "  we  suppose  it  disappeared  when  the  chancel  was  rebuilt 
in  1872. 

West  Challow,  Chilton,  Little  Coxwell,  Fyfield  (base),  Garford  (restored), 
Hagbourne^  Hanney,  Harwell,  East  Hendred  f,  Longworth  (Carolean), 
Ruscombe,  Sparsholt  (p.,  14th),  Sutton  Courtney,  Warfield  (p.). 

Buckingha  nishire 

The  most  interesting  piece  of  screenwork  in  this  county  is  the 
finely  carved  I4th-cent.  coped  screen  at  North  Crawley.  It  is 
divided  into  sixteen  compartments,  and  the  panels  at  the  base  are 
well  painted  with  scroll-bearing  saints  in  good  condition.  At 
Monks  Risborough  nine  of  the  twelve  panels  of  the  base  of  the  old 
screen  bear  painted  figures  intended  for  the  Prophets.  The  present 
paintings  are  of  rather  coarse  execution  and  quaint  costume,  and 
were  perhaps  retouched  during  the  Laudian  period.  Hillesden  is 
a  good  example  of  a  later  rood-loft. 

Aldworth  (two  fragments),  Ashendon,  Astwood,  Aylesbury  *,  Bow  Brickhill, 
Burnham  (part),  Chilton  *  (p.,  14th),  North  Crawley  *  f?  Cuddington, 
Edlesborough,  Haddenham  (now  under  tower),  Hillesden  f,  Ilmer, 
Langley  Marsh,  Maids'  Moreton,  Marston,  Monks  Risborough*, 
Olney,  Stoke  Hammond,  Wendover  (14th),  Weston  Turville  (remains, 
14th),  Wing  (p.).  High  Wycombe. 


104        ENGLISH   CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Cam  bridges  hire 

The  exceptionally  fine  church  of  Bottisham  is  a  noble  example 
of  a  parish  church  of  early  I4th-cent.  work.  There  is  very  little 
that  is  not  "  Decorated  "  about  it ;  but  there  is  a  stone  rood-screen 
of  I5th-cent.  date  ;  it  consists  of  three  arches,  with  pierced  quatre- 
foils  in  the  spandrels  ;  the  east  end  of  both  aisles  have  Decorated 
parcloses  of  richly  carved  oak.  At  Harlton  there  is  another  15th- 
cent.  stone  rood-screen,  very  plain,  with  newel  staircase. 

Cambridgeshire  is  very  rich  in  wooden  screenwork,  though 
some  of  the  examples  are  a  good  deal  mutilated.  The  I4th-cent. 
rood-loft  remains  in  fine  condition  at  Guilden  Morden  ;  on  the 
lower  panels  are  painted  saints.  There  are  also  painted  panels 
at  Cherry  Hinton.  The  coved  base  of  the  rood-loft  remains  at 
Over.  The  rood-screen  at  Chippenham  is  a  good  one  of  the  second 
half  of  the  14th  cent.  To  the  same  century  belong  the  screens  of 
Cheveley,  Foulmire,  Gamlingay,  and  three  or  four  others.  The 
screen  of  Balsham  is  of  the  year  140 1,  and  that  of  Burwell  1464  ; 
the  remainder  are  chiefly  about  the  close  of  the  15th  cent. 

Stone. — Bottisham,  Ely  (p.),  Harlton. 

Wood. — Balsham,  Barton,  Bassingbourne,  Bourne,  Burwell,  Caldecote ; 
Cambridge,  St.  Andrew,  St.  Botolph,  King's  College  (post-Reforma- 
tion); Chatteris,  Cherry  Hinton  %  Cheveley  (14th),  Chippenham 
(14th),  Comberton,  Coton,  Doddington,  Dry  Drayton,  Ely,  Foulmire 
(14th),  Foxton,  Gamlingay  (14th),  Gransden,  Guilden  Morden  *  f 
(14th),  Haddenham,  Haslingfield  (14th),  Hauxton  (used  in  pulpit), 
Horningsea,  Ickleton,  Impington,  Kenneth  (14th),  Kirtling  (14th), 
Litlington,  Littleport,  Lolworth,  Meldreth,  Oakington  *,  Over  f, 
Sawston  (p.),  Great  Shelford  (scr.  and  p.),  Litde  Shelford  (remains), 
Snailwell,  Soham,  Stow-with-Quy,  Stretham,  Teversham,  Triplow 
(14th),  Trumpington  (restored),  West  Wickham,  Whaddon,  Whittle- 
sea,  Whittlesford  (p.),  Wilbarton,  Willingham,  Wood  Ditton. 

Cheshire 

has,  perhaps,  suffered  more  severely  than  any  other  county  from 
church  rebuilding,  and  the  most  destructive  forms  of  so-called 
"  restoration."  It  had  but  little  screenwork  left  within  its  bounds, 
and  in  two  cases  where  we  saw  and  noted  highly  interesting  old 
screenwork  in  the  "sixties,"  these  remains  have  recently  been 
"removed" — to  use  the  euphuism  employed  by  a  careful  guide- 


SCREENS   AND    ROOD-LOFTS  105 

writer  of  1906.  These  two  unhappy  removals  occurred  in  the 
churches  of  Bunbury  and  Daresbury.  In  the  former  case  the 
parcloses  of  the  Calveley  and  Spurston  chapels  and  the  highly 
interesting  painted  panels  have  disappeared ;  in  the  latter,  the 
remains  of  a  rood-loft  and  an  excellent  carved  screen  have  also 
vanished.  Sir  Stephen  Glynne  mentions  a  fine  old  rood-screen  at 
Runcorn,  but  it  perished  with  the  church  in  1848. 

At  Astbury,  there  is  a  beautiful  screen,  c.  1500,  with  coved 
top  and  rood-loft  ;  there  are  scale  drawings  of  it  in  the  Sketch- 
hook  of  the  Architectural  Association  (v.  3rd  series).  There  is 
another  good  screen  at  Mobberley,  with  part  of  the  rood-loft. 
The  late  screenwork  of  Northenden  is  curious  and  good  of  its 
kind  ;  the  1st  and  loth  verses  of  Psalm  li.  are  inscribed.  This  was 
the  rood-screen  of  the  old  church,  and  is  in  the  south  chapel  of  its 
successor.  At  Nantwich  a  dwarf  screen  of  stone  is  ingeniously 
constructed  to  form  part  of  the  same  composition  as  the  stone 
pulpit. 

At  Malpas,  the  early  i6th-cent.  screen  of  the  south  or  Egerton 
chapel  is  inscribed  :  "  Pray  good  people  for  the  prosperous  estate  of 
Sir  Randulph  Brereton,  Knyght  Baronet,  of  thys  werke  edificatour 
wyth  his  wyfe  Dame  Helenour,  and  after  thys  lyfe  transitorie  to 
obteyne  eternal  felicite.  Amen.  Amen."  The  north  or  Chol- 
mondeley  chapel  is  also  enclosed  ;  the  screen  bears  a  Latin 
inscription  asking  prayers  for  the  good  estate  of  Richard  Chol- 
mondeley  and  Elizabeth  his  wife,  the  donors  of  the  screen,  15 10. 

Astbury  t,  Cheadle  (p.),  Malpas  (p.),  Mobberley  f,  Northenden,  Siddington, 
Wilmslow  (restored),  Woodchurch. 

Cornwall 

There  is  not  a  single  old  church  in  the  north-east  of  Cornwall, 
and  hardly  one  in  the  whole  county,  where  the  traces  of  a  15th- 
cent.  rood-loft  are  not  fairly  perceptible  ;  though  it  is,  alas !  in  a 
very  small  minority  that  the  actual  screens,  or  portions  of  them, 
still  remain.  The  ground-plan  of  a  I5th-cent.  Cornish  church  with 
double  aisles  usually  has  a  projecting  turret  for  the  rood-loft  stairs 
in  the  north  wall.  These  stairs,  with  a  lower  and  upper  door,  often 
remain,  and  the  low  doorways  through  the  north  and  south  arcades 
show  how  access  could  readily  be  obtained  across  the  screen  of  the 
north  aisle  to  the  rood-loft,  and  thence  to  the  like  screen  of  the 


io6        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

south  aisle.  This  can  be  easily  realized  by  noting  the  restored 
screens  of  the  beautiful  church  of  St.  Kew,  with  which  is  incorpo- 
rated some  of  the  original  work.  The  arrangement  in  use  of  the 
rood-loft  can  be  wonderfully  realized  in  the  admirably  restored 
screen  of  Blisland.  There  are  considerable  remains  of  the  chancel- 
screen  at  St.  Minver,  which  was  unfortunately  removed  in  1837  to  the 
tower  arch  at  the  west  end  and  repainted  after  an  unhappy  fashion. 
The  design  of  the  carving  in  the  base  is  exceptional  and  remark- 
ably effective,  and  is  evidently  done  by  the  same  hand  that  fur- 
nished the  screens  for  St.  Kew.  At  the  west  end  of  the  north  aisle 
of  the  church  at  St.  Breward  is  a  piece  of  screenwork  which  may 
have  been  part  of  the  rood-screen.  The  out-of-the-way  church  of 
Laneast  has  a  good  deal  of  the  old  screen  across  the  chancel  and 
the  south  aisle  still  remaining. 

In  other  parts  of  the  county,  screen  fragments  can  be  detected 
by  the  ardent  ecclesiologist.  Thus,  there  is  a  piece  of  the  cornice 
of  the  old  rood-screen  worked  into  a  pew  in  the  south  aisle  of 
Talland  church,  whilst  at  South  Tetherwin  the  pulpit  and  desk  are 
made  out  of  screen  fragments. 

A  little  of  the  saint-painting  on  screen  panels,  once  so  common, 
survives,  as  on  the  fine  screens  of  Lanreath.  At  Gunwalloe,  a 
grievously  drastic  restoration  of  1860-70  has  left  four  painted 
panels  of  the  Evangelists  from  the  old  rood-screen,  which  have 
been  ridiculously  affixed  to  the  north  and  south  doors.  There  are 
also  some  painted  portions  left  at  Poundstock. 

The  chancel-screen  of  Probus  church  is  a  curious  composition, 
formed  in  1691  out  of  portions  of  the  old  rood-screen  and  bench 
ends.  It  bears  the  following  inscription  : — "  Jesus,  hear  us,  Thy 
people,  &  send  us  grace  &  good  for  ever." 

Alternan,  Blisland  f  (chiefly  modern),  St.  Breward  (portion),  Budock  *^ 
St.  Buryan  (portions),  Camborne,  St.  Columb  Major,  Cothele 
(domestic  chapel),  Crantock  (new,  but  old  fragments),  Davidstow  * 
(p.),  St.  Enodoc  (base),  Duloc  (p.),  St.  Germans  (portions),  Gunwalloe  *, 
St.  Ives,  Kilkhampton,  St.  Kew  (restored),  Laneast,  Lanreath  *, 
Launcells  *,  St.  Levan  (restored),  St.  Martin-by-Looe  (p.,  Jacobean), 
Mawgan-in-Pyder,  Mawnan  (portion),  St.  Mellion  (base),  St.  Michael's 
Mount,  St.  Minver,  Morwenstow,  Mullion  (portions),  Mylor  *,  South 
Petherwin  (portions),  Poundstock*  (portion),  Probus,  Quethiock 
(remains),  St.  Ruan  Major,  Sancreed  (portions),  Talland  (portion, 
and  p.  Jacobean),  Tintagel,  Tywardreth,  St.  Winnow. 


SCREENS   AND    ROOD-LOFTS  107 

Derbyshire 

There  is  a  good  deal  of  interest  pertaining  to  the  remains  of 
screenwork  in  this  county. 

At  Ilkeston  a  remarkable  stone  screen  divides  the  chancel  from 
the  nave  ;  it  consists  of  five  cinquefoiled  arched  compartments, 
with  pierced  quartrefoils  in  the  spandrels,  and  grey  marble  shafts 
with  moulded  capitals  and  bases  ;  the  whole  rests  upon  a  low  stone 
wall  or  base.  This  screen  has  undergone  much  repair  at  different 
times,  but  it  probably  dates  from  the  beginning  of  the  14th  cent. 
There  is  a  handsome  low  stone  screen  under  the  chancel  arch  of 
Chelmorton  church,  which  is  also  14th  cent. ;  it  probably  carried 
an  upper  screen  of  wood.  Fragments  of  stone  screens,  all  of  the 
same  century,  are  to  be  seen  at  Darley,  Monksdale  (Tideswell), 
and  Allestree.  There  is  also  a  I5th-cent.  stone  screen,  or  parclose, 
in  the  south  aisle  of  Darley  church.  The  stone  screens  at  the  east 
end  of  the  chancels  at  Tideswell  and  Sawley  have  been  mentioned 
under  reredoses. 

Wingerworth,  the  singular  instance  of  a  rood-loft  over  a  low 
Norman  chancel-arch,  has  been  already  mentioned  in  the  general 
remarks.  The  rood-screen  of  Ashover  is  a  good  example  of  late 
Perpendicular  carving.  It  bears  the  impaled  arms  of  Babington 
and  Fitzherbert.  Chesterfield  church  contains  much  interesting 
screenwork.  The  boldly  carved  rood-screen,  with  angels  bearing 
the  symbols  of  the  Passion,  was  removed  to  the  chapel  of  the 
north  transept  during  a  restoration  of  1843.  At  the  same  time 
the  beautiful  and  elaborate  screenwork  round  the  "Fuljambe 
quire  "  was  taken  down,  and  its  main  portions,  rich  in  heraldry, 
turned  into  a  reredos.  There  is  another  screen  in  the  south 
transept,  fencing  it  off  from  the  Fuljambe  and  Colton  chapels  ; 
it  is  a  good  specimen  of  late  Perpendicular  work,  the  upper 
portion  branching  out  into  a  wide  coved  cornice.  The  screen 
of  the  old  chapel  of  Brackenfield  bears  the  arms  of  Willoughby 
and  Beck.  There  is  a  fine  piece  of  screenwork  in  Bakewell  church 
dividing  the  Vernon  chapel  from  the  remainder  of  the  south 
transept.  The  beautiful  screen  of  Fenny  Bentley,  expanded  so 
as  to  form  a  rood-loft,  underwent  a  good  deal  of  restoration  in 
1850.  The  fine  rood-screen  of  Elvaston  originally  had  the  jambs 
of  the  doorway  prolonged  into  the  sides  of  stalls  facing  the  east  ; 
but  this  interesting  feature  has  been  cleared  away,  and  the  screen 


io8        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

otherwise  spoilt  during  a  recent  extravagant  "  restoration."  Crich 
church  was  subjected  to  a  most  disastrous  restoration  in  1861  ; 
the  ejected  rood-screen  was  given  shelter  at  St.  Peter's,  Derby. 
The  handsome  screen  of  dark  oak,  c.  1500,  in  Ockbrook  church, 
came  from  Wigston  Hospital,  Leicester,  and  was  put  in  its  present 
position  in  1810  ;  unfortunately  it  was  reversed,  and  the  best 
carving  now  faces  the  east. 

Derbyshire  screens  suffered  severely  in  the  19th  cent.  At 
Hayfield  chapel  there  was  a  substantial  rood-loft  with  a  painting 
of  the  Rood,  with  St.  Mary  and  St.  John,  as  we  know  from 
a  sketch  taken  of  it  shortly  before  the  whole  building  was 
demolished  in  181 5.  The  rood-screen  of  Spondon  was  cleared  out 
in  1826.  Sad  havoc  was  made  of  the  Kirk  Langley  ancient  wood- 
work in  1839,  when  the  rood-screen  and  two  parcloses  were  taken 
to  pieces.  The  screen  and  rood-loft  at  Staveley  were  swept  away 
about  1850,  "to  give  more  light."  The  massive  rood-screen  of 
Sawley  church  still  remains,  but  two  beautiful  I4th-cent.  parclose 
screens  were  destroyed  in  1838.  In  quite  recent  years  a  most 
disastrous  mistake  was  made  at  the  church  of  Fenny  Bentley,  when 
the  highly  interesting  parclose  screen  erected  round  a  chantry 
altar  in  15 12,  in  the  south-east  angle  of  the  nave,  was  ejected. 

The  county  also  possesses  some  interesting  screenwork  of 
post-Reformation  date.  Risley  chapel,  erected  in  1593,  has  a 
substantial  curious  chancel  screen,  ornamented  with  cherubs' 
heads.  The  south  aisle  of  Wilne  church  was  prolonged  east- 
ward in  1672  to  form  a  memorial  chapel  to  Sir  John  Willoughby. 
Across  the  archway  is  a  heavy  wooden  screen  with  gates  bearing 
the  arms  of  Willoughby  and  Hawe,  and  dated  1624.  It  is  a 
marvellous  production  of  thoroughly  degraded  Renaissance.  Amid 
the  elaborate  carvings  may  be  noticed  centaurs,  satyrs,  Hercules 
with  his  club,  and  a  Roman  lictor  with  fasces  and  axe,  all  mixed 
up  with  drums,  cannons,  and  muskets!  Foremark  church,  con- 
secrated by  Bishop  Hacket  in  1662,  has  a  high  oak  chancel  screen 
of  singular  design  ;  four  sheets  of  glass  are  let  into  as  many  large 
openings.* 

Stone. — Allestree  (fragment),  Chelmorton,  Darley  (part),  Ilkeston,  Monks- 
dale  (part),  all  14th. 

*  The  following  are  the  references  to  screenwork  in  Cox's  Derbyshire  Churches : 
i.  20,  137-141,  279,  350,  453;  ii.  42,  84,  169,  211,  296,  309,  465;  iii.  60,  218,  301, 
309,  405,  445  ;  iv.  63,  200,  208,  262,  272,  296,  373,  390,  411. 


SCREENS    AND    ROOD-LOFTS  109 

Wood. — Ashbourne  (p.),  Ashover,  Bakewell  (p.),  Brackenfield,  Breadsall 
(portions),  Chaddesden  (restored),  Chesterfield  (and  p.)^  Church 
Broughton  (parts  in  reredos).  Dale  (old  infirmary  chapel  of  abbey), 
Derby,  St.  Peter's  (from  Crich),  Elvaston,  Fenny  Bentley  f ,  Foremark 
(17th),  Haddon  chapel  (17th),  Kirk  Langley  (remains),  Melbourne 
(remains),  Muggington  (p.),  Norbury  (remains),  Ockbrook,  Risley 
(17th),  Wilne  (and  17th  p.),  Wingerworth  f. 


Devonshire 

is  the  premier  county  of  England  for  ecclesiastical  screenwork. 
Notwithstanding  the  ignorant  and  wanton  destruction  of  screens 
within  the  last  half  century,  there  are  still  nearly  two  hundred 
churches  where  old  screenwork  is  to  be  found. 

To  the  subject  of  the  screens  of  this  county  Mr.  F.  B.  Bond 
has  given  the  closest  attention  ;  for  the  revision  of  the  list  of  these 
screens  we  are  much  indebted  to  his  admirable  and  profusely 
illustrated  papers  in  vols,  xxxiii.  and  xxxiv.  (1902-3)  of  the  reports 
of  the  Devonshire  Association, 

In  addition  to  screens  and  fragments  now  extant,  Mr.  Bond  has 
compiled  a  list  of  seventy-six  screens  which  have  been  removed, 
with  the  date  of  their  removal  or  destruction.  The  great  majority 
of  these  instances  of  vandalism  or  of  absurd  bigotry  occurred  in 
the  19th  cent.,  the  last  instance  (Moreton  Hampstead)  being  as 
late  as  1897.  The  year  1869  was  singularly  disastrous  to  the 
beautiful  work  with  which  our  forefathers  had  adorned  their 
sanctuaries.  In  that  one  twelvemonth,  singularly  fine  wood 
screens  were  destroyed  at  the  churches  of  Churston  Ferrers, 
Alvington  West,  and  Bridestone. 

As  a  rule,  in  Devonshire  as  elsewhere,  the  rood-lofts  were  pulled 
down  at  the  time  when  the  Roods  were  destroyed  in  the  i6th  cent. 
There  are  only  two  of  these  old  lofts  remaining  in  situ,  namely,  at 
Atherington  and  Marwood.  In  the  former  case  the  richly  carved 
early  i6th-cent.  screen  right  across  the  church  retains  the  loft  over 
the  north  aisle  portion  ;  in  the  latter  case,  where  parts  of  the  loft 
panels  remain,  the  screen  bears  the  name  of  John  Beapul,  who  was 
rector  in  the  time  of  Henry  VIII.  Several  other  lofts,  which  were 
entire  in  the  first  half  of  last  century,  and  are  described  by  Lysons 
or  Rickman,  have  since  beenr  destroyed  ;  among  these  were  those 
of  Dawlish,  Feniton,  Halberton,  Honiton,  and  Talaton.     In  a  few 


no        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

cases  there  have  been  recent  restorations  of  rood-lofts ;  the  most 
successful  of  these  is  the  one  by  Mr.  Temple  Moore  (1893)  at 
Littleham,  near  Bideford.  There  are  twenty-eight  instances  in 
which  the  groined  or  coped  tops  of  the  screens  still  carry  the  floors 
of  the  old  rood-lofts.  In  all  these  cases  there  is  much  rich  carving, 
particularly  in  the  cornices,  which  have  generally  three  rows,  and 
sometimes  four,  or  even  five,  of  ornate  detail.  The  following  are 
the  more  striking  examples  of  the  groined  screens :  Bradninch, 
Burrington,  Chulmleigh,  Cullompton,  Dartmouth,  Feniton,  Hal- 
berton,  Hartland,  Honiton,  Kentisbere,  Kenton,  Lapford,  Pay- 
hembury,  Plymstock,  Stokenham,  Swymbridge,  and  Uffculme. 

Mr.  Bond  singles  out  the  screen  of  Hartland  as  being  "truly 
magnificent,  a  remarkable  type,  and  in  very  perfect  condition,"  and 
comments  on  its  "  delicate  cresting  ; "  and  in  this  he  is  followed 
(1907)  by  Mr.  Baring  Gould  in  his  Little  Guide  to  the  county.  It 
may  therefore  be  well  to  quote  from  a  detailed  account  of  ours  that 
appeared  in  the  Builder  in  1902. 

The  special  feature  of  the  church  is  the  singularly  handsome 
and  effective  screen  which  stretches  right  across  the  nave  and 
aisles  in  a  line  with  the  east  wall  of  the  small  transepts.  There 
is  no  chancel  arch,  a  feature  very  rarely  to  be  met  with  in  churches 
of  this  part  of  North  Devon.  When  this  beautiful  screen  was 
erected,  probably  in  the  third  quarter  of  the  15th  cent.,  the  arches 
of  the  arcades  through  which  it  passes  were  somewhat  altered  for 
its  accommodation.  The  narrow  stairway  to  the  top  of  the  screen 
is  in  the  thickness  of  the  wall  of  the  south  chancel  chapel,  and  is 
still  available.  The  screen  is  most  rich  in  its  details,  and  has  a 
groined  canopy  on  each  side.  The  length  is  47  feet  8  inches,  and 
the  width  on  the  top  is  5  feet  10  inches.  The  full  height  is  12  feet; 
it  is  8  feet  to  the  spring  of  the  canopies,  and  10  feet  to  the  centre 
of  each  compartment.  There  are  five  traceried  openings  each 
side  of  the  central  doorway.  The  patterns  of  the  carvings  of  the 
different  sections  of  the  canopy  work  are  exceedingly  varied,  no 
two  being  exactly  alike.  The  cornice  mouldings,  which  are  of  five 
orders,  are  exceedingly  rich  and  minutely  executed.  The  delicacy 
of  the  cresting  on  the  west  front  (it  has  gone  from  the  inner  side) 
is  often  pointed  out  as  showing  the  strength  of  the  wood  to  resist 
the  effects  of  time.  To  our  mind  it  looked  suspiciously  and 
awkwardly  perfect,  and  on  mounting  the  screen  the  cresting  turned 
out  to  be  a  gilded  length  of  cast-iron  work,  an  abomination  of  the 


SCREENS    AND  ROOD-LOFTS  iii 

1850  restoration!  The  cornice  is  all  gilded,  but  now  much  dulled 
in  appearance,  and  there  is  a  good  deal  of  painting  in  other  parts, 
mainly  red  and  white,  including  some  upright  mouldings  done  in 
barber-pole  work  of  red  and  white  and  black  and  white.  It  would 
be  quite  worth  while  to  have  the  whole  repainted  with  care  and 
taste.  As  it  is,  it  is  neither  one  thing  nor  the  other,  for  the  present 
amount  of  painting  is  poor  and  patchy  in  effect  and  dingy  in 
appearance.  Certain  wiseacres  might  think  it  rather  shocking  to 
do  away  with  the  traces  of  the  "  original "  painting  and  gilding,  as 
it  has  often  been  termed.  But  there  is  no  great  antiquity  in  this 
colouring  of  the  Hartland  screen.  The  gilding  now  apparent  has 
obviously  been  poor  stuff  when  first  applied,  and  we  may  be  sure 
that  no  such  contrast  in  colours  or  such  weak  tones  as  now  prevail 
would  have  been  employed  in  the  days  of  its  first  erection.  The 
parish  is  fortunate  in  possessing  a  book  of  church  accounts  extend- 
ing from  1597  to  1706.  These  accounts  show  that  the  screen  was 
twice  painted  in  the  17th  cent.,  at  a  cost  of  about  ten  shillings  each 
time.  They  also  give  the  information  that  "a  pair  of  organs"  was 
set  up  on  the  rood-loft  in  i6^y-S,  and  that  during  the  Common- 
wealth the  rood-loft  was  seated  throughout.  An  organ  was  again 
placed  there  in  1845,  but  removed  at  the  restoration  a  few  years 
later.  All  trace  of  the  loft  or  panelling  on  the  top  of  the  rood- 
screen  has  long  since  disappeared  ;  but  the  great  timbers  still  bear 
the  holes  where  the  supports  were  fixed,  and  the  larger  openings 
on  the  top  of  the  centre  of  the  western  beam  show  the  exact 
positions  of  the  rood,  flanked  by  the  Mary  and  John. 

There  are  no  instances  of  early  wooden  screenwork  in  the 
county,  either  in  the  rood-screens  or  in  the  numerous  parcloses. 
The  remarkably  fine  screen  of  Stoke-in-Teignhead  is  considered 
to  be  of  the  time  of  Richard  II.  At  Ashton  and  Halberton 
the  parcloses  are  older  than  the  rood-screens.  Several  of  the 
later  screens  show  the  dawn  of  the  English  renaissance,  as  at 
Atherington,  Bridford  (1508),  Lapford,  Lustleigh  (just  after  the 
Reformation),  Marwood,  Morchard  Bishop,  Poltimore,  Swymbridge, 
and  South  Pool. 

Of  later  screens  there  is  a  good  Jacobean  example,  1624,  at 
Washfield.  The  I7th-cent.  chancel  screen  at  Countisbury  is  ex- 
ceptional and  interesting.  Cruwys  Morchard  has  a  noteworthy 
classical  screen,  of  Corinthian  design,  with  side  parcloses,  enclosing 
the  chancel,  of  the  year  18 14. 


112        ENGLISH   CHURCH   FURNITURE 

Until  comparatively  recent  years  there  was  a  tympanum,  or 
filling  up  of  the  chancel  arch,  with  lath  and  plaster  or  panelling, 
above  the  rood-screen  of  several  Devonshire  churches.  On  this 
tympanum,  as  has  been  already  explained,  the  Rood  was  usually 
painted,  or  sometimes  the  Doom  ;  in  post-Reformation  days  the 
royal  arms  or  the  Commandments,  etc.,  took  the  place  of  the 
paintings.  The  tympanum  may  still  be  noticed  at  Paracombe  and 
Holland  ;  it  has  been  restored  at  Littleham,  near  Bideford. 

As  to  the  painting  of  the  Devonshire  screens,  an  admirable  and 
nearly  exhaustive  paper  was  contributed  to  Archceologia  in  1898 
(vol.  Ivi.  183-222),  by  Mr.  Keyser,  wherein  detailed  attention  is 
given  to  the  panel  paintings  of  the  saints.  This  paper  was  supple- 
mented, and  to  some  extent  corrected,  by  a  beautiful  illustrated 
pamphlet  by  Dom  Camm,  on  the  Devonshire  screens,  issued  in 
1905.  The  remains  of  these  figure  paintings  are  numerous  and 
highly  interesting,  but  the  art  is,  as  a  rule,  inferior  to  that  on  the 
East  Anglian  screens.  Most  of  the  screens  with  these  panel  paint- 
ings of  saints  are  met  with  in  the  district  between  Exeter  and 
Totnes  ;  but  there  are  a  few  examples  in  outlying  parts,  such  as 
Bampton  and  Combe  Martin  in  the  north.  Though  many  of  these 
panels  have  been  lost  or  destroyed  in  recent  years,  there  are  still 
upwards  of  fifty  churches  where  they  may  be  noted.  The  best 
series  are  at  Ashton,  Bradninch,  Bridford,  Combe  Martin,  Holne, 
Kenn,  Kenton,  South  Milton,  Plymtree,  Torbryan,  Ugborough, 
Widecombe-le-Moors,  and  Wolborough. 

In  addition  to  the  I4th-cent.  stone  quire  screen  of  Exeter 
cathedral,  the  church  of  Totnes  has  a  magnificent  stone  rood- 
screen  and  parcloses,  erected  by  the  Corporation  in  1459-60.  At 
Colyton  there  is  a  good  mediaeval  stone  parclose  to  the  south 
chapel,  and  one  of  Jacobean  date  to  the  north  chapel.  There  is  a 
fine  stone  screen  in  the  Lady  Chapel  of  Ottery  St.  Mary.  At 
Luppit  the  stone  screens  were  barbarously  ejected  during  a  recent 
restoration,  and  are  now  worked  up  into  the  mantelpieces  of 
neighbouring  houses.  At  Tiverton  not  only  did  the  Vandals  destroy 
the  fine  wooden  rood-screen  in  1854,  but  twenty  years  earlier  they 
ejected  a  stone  screen  "of  exquisite  details"  that  enclosed  the 
Greemony  Chapel.  A  most  beautiful  and  lavishly  ornamented 
stone  parclose  in  Paignton  church  has  been  suffered  to  remain 
though  mutilated  ;  it  was  sumptuously  illustrated  and  fully  described 
in  Country  Life  {^2XiVi2sy  12,  1907). 


SCREENS   AND    ROOD-LOFTS  113 

Stone. — Awliscombe  (restored),  Colyton  (p.),  Culmstock  (now  reredos), 
Exeter  cathedral  t  (14th),  Gittisham  (fragment),  Hemyock  (part), 
Marldon  (part),  Ottery  St.  Mary  f,  Paignton  (p.),  Sourton  (fragment), 
Totnes. 

^F(?^^.— Abbotskerswell  *  (and  p.),  East  Allington  (1547))  Alphington* 
(1478),  Alvington  (parts  at  vicarage,  and  p.),  Ashburton  (fragments), 
Ashprington  (part),  Ashton*t,  Atherington  f,  Aveton  Gifford,  Axminster 
(p.),  Bampton,  Berrynarbor,  Berry  Pomeroy  *  t  (and  p.),  Beer  Ferrers  * 
(part),  Bideford  (17th,  tower),  Blackawton*  (and  p.).  North  Bovey 
(and  p.),  Bovey  Tracey '""  (restored).  Bow  (and  p.),  Bradninch  *  t  (and 
p.),  Bradworthy  (parts),  Bratton  Clovelly  (base),  Braunton,  High  Bray, 
Bridestowe  (base),  Bridford  *  (1500),  Broad  Hempston  (restored), 
Broadwood  (1529),  Broadwood  Widger  (1529),  Brushford,  Buckland- 
le-Moors  *,  Buckland  Monachorum  t,  Buckerell  (part).  East  Budleigh, 
BurlescombC;,  Burrington  f,  Calverleigh,  Chagford  (part,  1524),  Chaw- 
leigh  (and  p.),  Cheriton  (part),  Chivelston  *,  Christow,  Chudleigh  *, 
Chulmleigh  f,  Churchstow  (fragments),  Churston  Ferrers  (fragments), 
Clawton  (fragment),  Clayhanger,  Clyst  St.  Lawrence  f,  Cockington, 
Colebrook  (p.),  Coleridge  (and  p.),  Combe-in-Teignhead  (part), 
Combe  Martin  *,  Corn  worthy,  Countisbury  (17  th),  Cruwys  Morchard 
(i8th),  CuUompton  \  (and  p.),  Dartington  (parts  of  old  screen  in  new 
church),  Dartmouth  *  f,  Denbury,  Dittisham  *,  Dodbrooke  *  (panels 
repainted),  Down  East,  Down  St.  Mary  (parts  old),  Dunchideock, 
Ermington  (17th),  Exbourne  (1420,  restored);  Exeter,  Cathedral"^ 
(several  parcloses),  St.  Mary  Steps*  (from  St.  Mary  Major),  St. 
Lawrence  (from  cathedral),  Vicar's  College  * ;  Exminster  (part, 
and  p.),  Feniton  *  t  (and  p.),  Gidleigh '^  Halberton  t  (14th,  p.), 
Harberton  *t,  Hartland  f,  Hatherleigh  (remains),  Heanton  Punchardon 
(restored),  Heavitree  *  (fragments).  Little  Hempston  (and  p.), 
Hennock  *,  Holbeton  (p.),  Holcombe  Rogus  (parts),  Holne  *, 
Honiton  f,  North  Huish  (p.),  South  Huish  *  f  (now  in  Bouringsleigh 
private  chapel),  Huntsham,  Huxham,  Ideford  (fragments),  Ilsington  * 
(and  p.),  Ipplepen  '"'  (restored),  Kenn  *  (and  p.),  Kennerleigh 
(fragments),  Kentisbere  j,  Kentisbury  (fragments),  Kenton  *  t  (^^d 
p.),  Kingsbridge  (parts,  and  p.),  Kingskerswell  (fragments),  Kings- 
nympton,  Kingsteignton  *  (parts),  Lapford  t  (i6th,  and  p.),  North 
Lew  (base).  Lew  Trenchard  (parts  in  new  screen),  Littleham  f  (parts 
in  new  screen),  Littleham-cum-Exmouth  {c.  1400,  badly  restored), 
Lustleigh  (early  post-Reformation),  Malborough  (p.),  Mamhead  * 
(part),  Manaton  *,  Marhamchurch  (base),  Martinhoe  (base),  Marwood  f 
(late),  Marychurch  (parts),  Maristow  (part),  Membury  (p.).  South 
Milton  *  (and  p.),  Molland  (post-Reformation),  North  Molton  (and 
p.),  Monkleigh,  Morchard  Bishop  (portio-n),  Moreleigh  (parts  in 
reading  desk),  Northleigh,  Ogwell,  Ottery  St.  Mary  (p.),  Paracombe, 
I 


114'      ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Peter  Tavy  '^"  (parts)_,  North  Petherwin  (part,  and  p.),  Pey hem- 
bury  *  t>  Pilton  (508,  and  p.),  Pinhoe  f,  Plymstock  f,  Plymtree 
St.  John  *  t>  Poltimore  (badly  restored),  South  Pool  *,  Portlemouth*, 
Powderham,  Rattery  (and  p.),  Rockbeare  (parts),  Rose  Ash  (and  p.), 
Sampford  Peverell  (fragments),  Shebbear  (fragment),  Sheepstor 
(fragments),  Sheldon  (parts  old),  Sherford  *  (and  p.),  Shute  *  (portions 
in  manor  house),  Silverton  (portion,  and  p.),  Slapton  (and  p.), 
Staverton  *  f  (restored),  Stockleigh  Pomeroy  (portion).  Stoke  Gabriel  *, 
Stoke-in-Teignhead  (Richard  II.),  Stoke  Rivers  (parts  now  in  Wem 
Gilford  church),  Stokenham  *  t  (repainted),  Sutcombe  (base), 
Swymbridge  f,  Talston  "f  (and  p.),  Tamerton  Foliot  (parts).  North 
Tamerton  (parts),  Tawstock  (and  p.),  Throwleigh  *  (parts),  Thurlestone 
(fragments),  Torbryan*,  Trusham*  (restored),  Uffculme  f,  Ugborough  * 
(and  p.),  Warkleigh  (portion),  Washfield  (1624),  Welcombe,  Whimple  * 
(portion),  Widecombe-le-Moors  '^  (base),  Willand,  Wolborough  *  (and 
p.),  Woodbury  (modernized). 


Dorsetshire 

The  county  is  not  noted  for  its  screenwork,  of  which  there  are 
but  few  remains.  Though  it  cannot  be  included  under  "church 
furniture,"  mention  should  be  made  of  the  beautiful  oak  screen  in 
the  monk's  refectory  at  Milton  Abbas,  which  bears  the  date  1498, 
and  the  rebus  of  Abbot  Milton,  a  mill  and  a  tun.  Part  of  the 
panels,  with  painted  figures  of  the  Apostles,  of  the  old  rood-screen 
of  this  abbey  church  has  found  its  way  to  the  parish  church  of 
Hilton.  The  recent  transfer  of  the  parish  of  Trent  from  Somerset 
to  Dorset,  gives  the  latter  a  handsome  canopied  rood-screen. 

The  chapel  of  Ford  Abbey  has  a  screen  which  formed  part  of 
the  work  of  Edmund  Prideaux,  Attorney- General  of  the  Pro- 
tectorate, when  he  resided  here  in  1649. 

In  the  Lady  Chapel  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church  of  Spetis- 
bury  is  a  rood-screen  that  came  from  Whitford,  near  Axminster. 

On  the  screen  at  Milborne,  added  after  the  Restoration,  is  the 
following  :  "  Where  the  word  of  a  king  is  there  is  power,  and  who 
may  say  what  doe^t  thou  "  (Eccl.  viii.  4). 

Stone, — Batcombe,  Bradford  Abbas,  Cerne  Abbas  (restored),  Thomford, 
Wool. 

W^<7^^.— Buckland  Weston  (parts),  Ford  Abbey  chapel  (17th),  Hawkchurch, 
Hilton  *,  Milborne,  Okeford  Fitzpaine  (parts),  Pulham  (parts), 
Sherborne     (hospital     chapel),    Spetisbury    (R.    C.    church),    West 


SCREENS    AND    ROOD-LOFTS  115 

Stafford  (17  th),  Sturminster  Marshall,  Trent  f,  Upway,  Winterborne 
Came,  Winterborne  Monkton,  Winterborne  Stickland  (parts),  Yet- 
minster  (parts). 

Durham 

Darlington  Is  the  only  instance  in  the  county  where  the  rood- 
loft,  or,  rather,  its  base,  is  retained.  This  notable  stone  screen  is 
known,  from  the  heraldry  that  formerly  adorned  it,  to  have  been 
erected  towards  the  close  of  the  14th  cent.  It  is  now  a  quite  plain 
screen,  13  feet  high,  7  feet  across,  with  a  painted  central  archway, 
and  occupying  the  whole  of  the  chancel  arch.  The  old  projecting 
rood-loft  gallery  was  taken  down  in  1756. 

At  Brancepeth  there  is  an  interesting  screen  erected  by  Bishop 
Cosin  when  rector,  between  1626  and  1633.  Several  pieces  of  old 
I4th-cent.  screenwork  were  fixed  above  the  chancel  arch.  Sedge- 
field  has  a  screen  of  about  the  same  date.  The  chancel  screen, 
with  returned  stalls,  of  Ryton  church,  we  know  from  the  arms  to 
have  been  the  work  of  William  James,  who  was  rector  from  16 17 
until  the  Commonwealth.  Merrington  has  a  fourth  example  of 
these  remarkable  I7th-cent.  screens,  which  were  all  Gothic  in 
character;  the  old  church  was  destroyed  in  1850,  but  the  screen 
was  re-erected  in  its  successor. 

Staindrop  is  the  only  church  of  the  county  which  retains  a  pre- 
Reformation  rood-screen  ;  it  is  of  a  plain  character.  At  the  west 
end  of  Easington  church  is  a  triple  canopy  that  formerly  formed 
part  of  the  old  rood-screen. 

The  screen  in  Durham  Castle  chapel  is  of  Bishop  Crewe's  time 
( 1 674-1 709) ;  it  was  removed  here  from  the  cathedral  church. 

Stone, — Darlington  t  (Richard  II.). 

Wood, — Brancepeth,  (i)   (fragments,    14th),  (2)   (17th);    Durham   Castle 

(late   17th),  Easington  (fragment),  Merrington  (17th),  Ryton  (17th), 

Sedgeiield  (17th),  Staindrop. 


I 


Essex 


One  of  the  chief  features  of  Essex  screenwork  is  the  fine  stone 
screenwork  that  occupies  the  whole  of  the  chancel  arch  of  Stebbing. 
It  is  of  noble  design  and  workmanship,  of  the  earlier  part  of  the 
14th  cent.     It  is  supported  by  two  clustered   columns   and  like 


ii6        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

responds.  There  is  a  good  engraving  of  it  in  its  unrestored  con- 
dition in  Buckler's  Essex  Churches.  At  Great  Bardfield  is  a  15th- 
cent.  stone  screen  of  similar  character. 

There  is  a  fair  amount  of  good  wooden  screen  work  remaining 
of  different  periods  of  the  14th  cent.,  as  at  Little  Canfield, 
Clavering,  Castle  Hedingham,  Newport,  etc.  The  rood-screens  of 
Roothing  Abbot  and  North  Weald  show  the  best  I5th-cent. 
carving  ;  the  screen  of  Yeldham  bears  the  arms  of  the  De  Veres 
and  other  families.  The  remains  of  the  old  rood-screen  of  High 
Easter  now  form  the  organ  screen.  Shalford  screen  retains  the 
original  doors  ;   there  is  a  rood-beam  above  it. 

Stone. — Great  Bardfield  (restored),  Stebbing  (r4th,  restored),  Waltham. 

Wood. — Aveley,  Bradfield,  Bradwell-juxta-Coggeshall,  Bumpstead  Steeple 
(part),  Little  Canfield  (14th),  Castle  Hedingham  (14th),  Little 
Chesterford,  Clavering  (14th),  Copford,  High  Easter  (remains), 
Elmdon,  Finchingfield  (and  p.),  Hadstock  (tower),  Halstead,  Henham- 
on-the-Hill  (14th),  Little  Horkesley  (parts),  Hythe  (part),  Inworth, 
Latchingdon  *  (now  in  Chelmsford  Museum),  Lamarsh  (14th),  Laver 
Magdalen  (restored),  Layer  Marney,  Margaretting  (base,  14th), 
Manuden,  Newport  (14th),  Norton  Mandeville,  Orsett  (14th),  Rickling 
(T4th),  Roothing  Abbots,  Shalford,  Shenfield,  Springfield  (parts  old), 
Stanford-le-Hope  (p.),  Stondon  Massey  (i6th),  Thurrock  Grays, 
Upminster  (parts  old).  North  Weald,  Weathersfield,  Wendens  Ambo, 
Wendon,  Wimbish  (p,  14th),  Witham,  Woodham  Ferrers  (part,  14th), 
Yeldham. 

Gloucestershire 

is  not  remarkable  for  the  number  or  the  interest  of  its  screens. 
In  the  fine  old  church  at  Cirencester,  there  is  a  handsome  carved 
oak  screen  of  early  i6th  cent.,  now  set  up  in  the  Lady  chapel  to 
form  a  vestry ;  it  was  moved  here  from  the  east  end  of  St. 
John's  chapel.  At  Fairford,  the  east  ends  of  both  north  and  south 
aisles  are  enclosed  by  finely  carved  screen  work  of  late  I5th-cent. 
workmanship.  There  is  a  painted  tympanum  over  the  screen  at 
Mitcheldean. 

Stone. — Berkeley,  Gloucester  Cathedral,  Tewkesbury  (p.). 

Wood. — Ashchurch,  Aston  Somerville,  Beverstone  (restored),  Broadway 
(p.),  Cirencester  (p.),  Cranham  (restored),  Dymock  (fragments  of  old), 
Elmstone  (Henry  VH.),  Fairford  (p.),  Hailes,  Lydiard  Tregoze  (17th), 
Mitcheldean,  Northleach,  Notgrove,  Winchcombe. 


t 


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STEBIUNG,    ESSEX 


ERAMFORD,   SUFFOLK 


GREAT   BARDFIELD,    ESSEX 

STONE   SCREENS 


^  OF  THE  ^ 

UNIVERSITY 

OF 


I 


SCREENS   AND    ROOD-LOFTS  ii 


Hampshire 

There  is  not  much  screenwork  in  this  county.  The  i5th-cent. 
chancel  screen  of  Silchester  is  noteworthy  for  its  beautifully  pierced 
cresting,  ornamented  with  a  series  of  well-carved  small  angels. 
Two  rood-screens  of  South  Warnborough  and  Greywell,  that 
generally  escape  all  observation,  are  of  considerable  interest,  as 
they  both  retain  their  rood-lofts.  The  screen  of  South  Warn- 
borough, c.  1400,  is  of  the  unusual  height  of  18  feet  4  inches  ;  it 
is  coved  on  the  eastern  side,  and  has  a  width  at  the  top  of 
7  feet. 

The  rood-screen  and  loft  of  the  little  church  of  Greywell,  near 
Odiham,  is  of  unusual  arrangement.  Just  6  feet  in  front  of  the 
small  low  chancel  arch  is  a  good  but  late  screen,  having  two  tiers 
of  four  openings,  with  traceried  heads  on  each  side  of  the  wide 
central  opening  or  doorway.  From  the  beam  over  the  top  of  this 
is  a  platform  extending  to  the  east  wall  of  the  nave.  This  formed 
a  rood-loft,  6  feet  8  inches  wide  ;  it  is  well  panelled  beneath,  and 
the  roof  over  it  is  also  effectively  panelled.  A  well-built  projecting 
structural  turret  on  the  north  side  of  the  church  contains  the  easily 
ascended  stone  stairs.  But  turret  and  screen  appear  to  be  of  the 
first  quarter  of  the  i6th  cent.  The  loft  was  probably  built  to  hold 
"  a  pair  of  organs  "  as  well  as  the  Rood.  This  screen  was  raised 
some  2  feet  on  a  stone  base  at  the  time  of  the  restoration  of  the 
church  in  1870,  and  consequently  the  panelled  platform  with  it. 
This  alteration  was  made  on  account  of  its  inconvenient  lowness 
and  the  cutting  off  of  the  top  of  the  chancel  arch.  But  it  was  a 
great  pity  to  do  this,  as  up  to  that  date  the  rood  staircase  was  in 
regular  use,  whilst  the  loft  was  fitted  with  seats,  and  called  the 
Men's  Gallery,  as  the  men  of  the  small  congregation  usually  sat 
there.  The  raising  of  the  screen  has  necessitated  the  closing  of 
the  upper  rood-loft  door.  It  is  supposed  that  the  space  beneath  the 
loft,  between  the  screen  and  the  wall  on  each  side  of  the  chancel 
arch,  formed  accommodation  for  two  diminutive  chapels ;  but  if  so 
the  altars  must  have  been  of  exceptionally  small  proportions. 

The  upper  part  of  the  present  quire  screen  of  Romsey  abbey 
church  is  part  of  the  discarded  screen  of  early  I4th-cent.  date  that 
formerly  stood  across  the  entrance  to  the  north  transept. 

There  are  a  few  interesting  post-Reformation  screens  :  North 


ii8 


ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


Baddesley,  1608  ;  Empshott,  1624  ;  and  Farnborough,  which  may 
be  late  Elizabethan.  Deane  is  a  noteworthy  example  of  18 18, 
when  the  whole  church  was  rebuilt.  At  EUingham,  the  tympanum 
over  the  I5th-cent.  screen,  at  the  back  of  the  rood-loft,  has  been 
already  described  in  the  general  remarks. 

At  Newport,  I.  of  Wight,  parts  of  the  old  screen  are  worked  up 
into  a  reading  desk. 

Stone, — Christchurch  f  (14th),  Winchester,  Cathedral  (p.),  St.  Cross  (p.). 

Wood. — Ashe  (parts),  North  Baddesley  (Jacobean),  Barton  Stacey,  Buriton 
(much  restored),  Colemore,  Deane  (18 18),  EUingham  f,  Eversley 
(Georgian),  Empshott  (1624),  Farnborough  (17th),  Greywell,  Hartley 
Wespall  (modern),  Leckford,  Maplederwell,  Newport  '^  (I.  of  Wight), 
Romsey,  Silchester,  South  Warnborough  f,  Winchester,  Cathedral, 
St.  John's,  (i)  (rood-screen),  (2)  (parclose,  14th). 

Herefordshire 

The  screenwork  of  this  county  is  not  of  first  importance.  At 
Aymestrey  there  is  a  fine  i5th-cent.  chancel  screen,  whilst  parcloses 
surround  the  chantry  chapels  at  the  east  end  of  each  aisle.  The 
richly  carved  coped  screen  of  Brinsop  was  restored  in  1897.  An 
old  parclose  screen  at  Eardisland  now  stands  before  the  organ. 
There  are  also  good  I5th-cent.  rood-screens  at  Bosbury,  Eyton,  and 
Pipe.  The  screen  of  Brinsop  church  is  of  late  I4th-cent.  date  ; 
whilst  those  of  Pixley  and  Llandinabo  are  supposed  to  go  back  to 
the  I3th-cent. 

^S/i?;?^.— Kingsland  (p.). 

J^^^^.— Abbey  Dore,  Aymestrey  (and  p.),  Bosbury,  Brinsop  (14th), 
Burghill  t  (restored).  Canon  Pyon,  Dilwyn  (p.),  Eardisland  (p.), 
Eaton  Bishop  (restored).  Eye  (p.),  Eyton,  Foy,  Hope  Mansell, 
Kenderchurch,  Kimbolton  (tower),  Llandinabo  (13th),  St.  Margaret, 
Pixley  (13th),  Putley  (base,  17th),  Staunton  f,  Stoke  Lacy,  Stretford, 
Tedstone  Delamere,  St.  Weonards,  Withington. 


Hertfordshire 

has  a  fair  amount  of  good  screenwork,  chiefly  of  the  15th  or  early 
1 6th  cents.,  save  for  two  instances  of  post-Reformation  work. 
But  there  is  nothing  in  the  county  of  special  note  unless  Red- 
bourne  is  excepted  ;  the  screen  in  this  case  is  canopied  on  both 
sides  to  carry  the  rood-loft,  and  such  a  survival  is  rare  in  this  part 
of  England.     At  Baldock  the  screen  goes  right  across  the  whole 


SCREENS   AND    ROOD-LOFTS  119 

width  of  the  church.  Kings  Walden  is  excellently  carved  and  in 
good  preservation  ;  Flamstead  and  Much  Hadham  are  also  good 
examples.  There  are  a  few  instances  of  fine  screenwork  other 
than  rood-screens,  as  at  Hitchin,  between  the  chancel  and  the  aisles  ; 
and  at  Ware,  between  the  south  transept  and  the  Lady  chapel. 
At  Kimpton,  the  screen  now  between  the  south  aisle  and  Dacre 
chapel  originally  served  as  the  rood-screen. 

There  is  a  I4th-cent.  stone  screen  at  Sundridge,  and  the 
structural  I4th-cent.  screen  at  St.  Albans  Abbey  is  well  known. 
There  is  also  a  i5th-cent.  south  chapel  stone  screen  at  Aldbury. 

A  considerable  portion  of  the  wooden  tympanum  of  rood-screen 
of  St.  Michael's  church,  St.  Albans,  is  in  the  vestry ;  it  is  painted 
with  a  Doom. 

Aldenham  (p.),  Baldock,  Berkhamstead,  Bishops  Stortford,  Bygrave, 
Flamstead,  Gilston  (13th),  Graveley,  Little  Hadham  (p.),  Much 
Hadham,  Hitchin  (p.),  Hunsdon  (base),  Kelshall  *,  Kimpton,  Kings 
Langley  (p.).  Kings  Walden,  Kimpton  (p.),  Redbourne  f,  Sandon, 
Sandridge,  Sawbridgeworth,  Walkern,  Wallington,  Ware  (p.),  Wheat 
hampstead  (post-Reformation),  Wyddial  (two  Jacobean  screens). 

Huntingdonshire 

There  is  but  little  noteworthy  screenwork  in  this  small  county. 
Tilbrook  church  has  a  fine  rood-screen  with  a  coped  top  towards 
the  west,  with  original  balusters  of  the  loft-rail ;  it  was  elaborately 
restored  in  1867.  There  is  a  good  rood-screen  at  Swineshead,  a 
parish  which  has  been  lately  transferred  to  Bedfordshire.  The 
parclose  screens  at  the  east  ends  of  the  aisles  of  Kimbolton  are 
exceptionally  good.  The  Great  Gransden  chancel  screen  has 
unhappily  been  removed  to  the  organ  chamber. 

Abbotsley  (remains),  Easton,  Great  Gransden,  Hamerton,  Kimbolton  (p.), 
Molesworth,  Old  Hurst  (restored),  Spaldwick  (p.),  St.  Neots  (p.), 
Swineshead,  Tilbrook  \  (restored),  Upwood  (p.),  Wiston  (p.),  Yaxley, 
Yelling. 

Kent 

There  is  a  good  deal  of  interest  pertaining  to  the  extant  screen- 
work  of  Kent.  An  admirable  and  well-illustrated  article  on  the 
mediaeval  rood-lofts  and  screens  of  the  county,  by  Mr.  Aymer 
Vallance,  appeared  in  Memorials  of  Old  Kent^  published  at  the 


I20        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

beginning  of  1907.  Of  stone  chancel  screens,  in  addition  to  those 
of  the  two  cathedral  churches  of  Canterbury  and  Rochester,  those 
of  the  parish  churches  of  Westwell,  of  the  13th,  and  Capel-le- 
Ferne,  of  the  14th  cent.,  are  noteworthy.  Of  actual  wooden  rood- 
screens,  the  earliest  is  that  of  Northfleet ;  but  there  is  a  painted 
beam  at  Minster-in-Sheppey  of  the  first  half  of  the  13th  cent, 
which  was  probably  a  rood-beam.  Northfleet  screen  is  of  early 
I4th-cent.  date  ;  the  back  of  the  cornice  is  carved  to  represent  the 
heads  of  our  Lord  and  the  twelve  apostles.  The  screens  of 
Shoreham  and  Lullingstone  are  beautifully  vaulted,  and  bear  the 
base  of  the  old  rood-lofts.  Stalisfield  is  a  fine  example.  At 
Eastchurch  and  at  Leeds  the  screens  extend  completely  across 
both  nave  and  aisles.  The  lower  part  of  Kentish  screens  usually 
consists  of  rectagonal  panels,  with  tracery  inserted  in  the  heads. 
In  two  instances  in  the  county  there  are  remains  of  figure  painting, 
namely  on  a  parclose  screen  at  St.  Laurence's  and  St.  Peter's,  both 
in  Thanet.  Mr.  Vallance  has  a  sad  story  to  tell  of  many  rood-screens 
destroyed  during  the  latter  half  of  last  century.  There  are  several 
other  churches,  in  addition  to  those  in  the  subjoined  list,  "where 
portions  of  the  original  screenwork  have  been  egregiously  worked 
up  into  seats,  reredoses,  pulpits,  or  reading-desks."  Stone  corbels 
for  carrying  the  rood-loft  occur  at  Appledore,  Capel-le-Ferne, 
Chartham,  and  M listed.  At  Eastry,  Eynesford,  Monkton,  Postling, 
and  Selling  are  other  corbels  for  the  rood-beam  or  lintel  of  the 
screen.  At  Fordwich  and  Ightham  are  remains  of  the  oak  rood- 
beam  embedded  in  the  masonry.  There  is  a  most  peculiar 
approach  to  the  former  rood-loft  at  Wouldham  ;  the  rood-stairs, 
starting  in  the  north  wall,  turn  southwards,  and  the  passage  is 
carried  on  a  stone  bridge,  between  two  flanking  walls,  breast  high, 
across  the  aisle  to  the  north  arcade  wall.  The  rood-screen  was 
extant  in  1789,  and  is  described  in  the  Gentleman  s  Magazine  for 
that  year. 

Stone. — Canterbury  Cathedral  f,  Capel-le-Ferne  (14th),  Rochester 
Cathedral  t,  Westwell  (13th). 

Wood. — Appledore,  Bapchild,  Biddenden  (parts),  Boughton-under-Blean, 
Brasted,  Brookland  (parts) ;  Canterbury,  St.  Alphege  (fragment  of  loft) ; 
Chalk  (17th),  Challock  (removed  to  north  aisle),  Little  Chart  (p.), 
Chislehurst,  Cobham  (moved),  Dodington  (parts),  Eastchurch  (restored), 
Faversham  (parts),  Gillingham  (p.),  Goudhurst  (parts),  Graveney, 
Hackington  (restored),  Harty,  Harrietsham,  Headcorn  (parts),  Heme, 


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SCREENS   AND    ROOD-LOFTS  121 

Hernehill,  Ightham  (p.),  Ivychurch  (parts),  Iwade  (moved),  Kemsing 
(restored),  Lamberhurst  (p.),  Leeds,  Lullingstone  f,  Lydd,  Lynsted 
.  (parts),  Maidstone  (p.),  Minster-in-Sheppey  (parts).  Great  Mongeham 
(moved),  Newchurch  (p.),  Newenden,  Newington  (parts),  Northfleet 
(early  14th),  Rodmersham  (p.),  Old  Romney  (p.),  Ruckinge  (p.), 
Shoreham  f,  Smarden  (parts),  Stalisfield,  Swanscombe  (moved), 
Teynham  (parts),  Thanet  St.  Lawrence  *  (p.),  Tong,  Upchurch 
(p.,  14th),  Westwell  (parts),  West  Wickham,  Wingham  (parts), 
Wrotham. 

Lancashire 

has  but  little  fine  screenwork  remaining,  save  the  grand  screen 
at  the  entrance  to  the  quire  of  the  old  collegiate  church  of 
Manchester,  and  the  beautiful  late  work  in  the  old  priory  church 
of  Cartmel.  Huyton  has  a  handsome  rood-screen,  c.  1460.  At 
Sefton,  in  addition  to  the  chancel  screen,  there  is  a  side  screen 
to  the  north  chapel. 

The  old  chancel  screen  of  Colne,  much  mutilated,  dates  from 
15 15,  when  the  church  was  rebuilt. 

Cartmel  (17th),  Cartmel  Fell  chapel  f,  Colne,  Farnworth  (17th,  under 
tower),  Goosnargh  (p.),  Huyton,  Manchester  fj  Middleton,  Rochdale, 
Sefton,  Stidd,  Whalley  (p.). 

Leicestershire 

The  screenwork  of  this  county  does  not  call  for  any  particular 
comment,  save  in  two  cases.  At  Thurcaston  is  a  1 3th-cent.  screen, 
illustrated  in  Bloxam's  Gothic  Architecture.  This  screen  is  now 
under  the  tower  arch,  the  place  of  the  rood-screen  being  occupied 
by  an  example  of  the  15th  cent,  simple  in  design,  but  of  excellent 
workmanship.  Over  the  Lockington  screen  is  an  elaborate  filling 
up  or  tympanum  of  1704  date.  The  next  most  interesting  is 
the  restored  rood-screen  of  Beeley  church,  which  is  c»  1360.  The 
screen  at  Long  Whatton  came  from  Colston  Basset,  Notts.,  in 
1892,  when  the  latter  old  church  was  so  shamelessly  unroofed  and 
gutted.  At  Buckminster  is  a  richly  panelled  stone  staircase  for  the 
rood-stairs,  a  rare  example. 

Stone. — Ayleston    (p.,   dwarf),    Eastwell    (14th),    Frisby   (p.),    Quorndon 

(p.,  dwarf). 
^^<?//.— Ashfordby,  Ashby-Folville    (base),  Ayleston  (p.),  Beeby    (14th), 

Belton,   Braunston,  Burton  Overy,  Claybrook  (base),  Cosby,  Eaton 


122        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

(r4th),  Edmundthorpe,  Grimston,  Gumley,  Hoby,  Hungerton  (p.), 
Keyham,  Kibworth  (much  restored),  Kirby  Bellars ;  Leicester, 
St.  Mary  (p.);  Lockington,  Long  Whatton,  Lowesby  (remains), 
Lubenham  (post  -  Reformation),  Normanton  -  le  -  Heath  (restored), 
Queniborough,  Rothley,  Shearsby,  Skeffington  |,  Stoke  Golding, 
Thurcaston  (13th),  Great  Wigston. 

Lincolnshire 

This  county  is  most  justly  famed  for  its  screens  ;  those  of  stone 
are  briefly  enumerated  below.  Tattershall  has  a  most  remarkable 
1 5th-cent.  stone  screen  of  triple  arcades.  The  central  arch  opens 
into  the  chancel,  but  within  the  two  other  arches  are  altar  recesses, 
each  having  a  pedestal  piscina  drain  on  the  south  side.  The  loft 
above  still  carries  the  organ. 

It  is  exceptionally  rich  in  the  number  and  interest  of  its 
wooden  screens.  There  is  an  excellent  long  paper  on  Lincoln- 
shire screens  in  vol.  xx.  of  the  Reports  of  the  Associated  Architectural 
Societies ^  by  Dr.  Mansel  Sympson. 

In  the  beautiful  little  chapel  of  St.  Leonard,  Kirkstead,  an 
adjunct  of  the  former  Cistercian  abbey,  there  is  a  portion  of  an 
early  screen  with  lancet  arcading,  used  as  a  division  between  the 
seating.  This  piece  of  screenwork,  of  the  beginning  of  Henry  III.'s 
reign,  or  possibly  of  that  of  John,  is  second  only  in  age  to  the  late 
Norman  screen  at  Compton,  Surrey,  throughout  England.  At 
Benniworth  there  are  also  some  portions  of  a  I3th-cent.  screen. 
Up  to  1865  there  were  two  fine  chantry  screens  of  I4th-cent.  date 
in  the  church  of  Ingoldmells,  when  they  were  barbarously  broken 
up  ;  some  pieces  were  used  up  in  the  pulpit.  The  East  Kirby 
screen  is  probably  of  the  reign  of  Richard  III. 

At  Castle  Bytham  there  is  painting  on  the  panels  of  the 
screen-base.  In  several  cases,  notably  at  Alford,  there  are  traces 
of  the  old  gilding  and  colouring. 

The  little  out-of-the-way  church  of  Cotes-by-Stow  has  an 
exceptionally  beautiful  screen,  with  the  panelled  rood-loft  complete  ; 
it  was  somewhat  restored  in  1884.  Sleaford  is  a  superb  example 
of  a  widely  canopied  rood-screen.  Ewerby,  Folkingham,  and 
Swineshead  are  other  fine  instances  of  I5th-cent.  woodwork.  The 
grand  chancel  screen  of  seven  bays  at  West  Theddlethorpe  is  of 
early  i6th-cent.  date  ;  there  are  others,  showing  the  dawn  of 
Renaissance  influence,  at  the  east  end  of  each  aisle. 


SCREENS    AND    ROOD-LOFTS  123 

There  are  two  rood-loft  staircases  at  Boston,  Sleaford,  and 
Grantham. 

Notwithstanding  the  large  number  of  extant  screens,  it  is  most 
melancholy  to  note  when  visiting  Lincolnshire  churches,  how  many 
were  broken  up  even  in  the  last  half  of  the  19th  cent.,  under  the 
specious  guise  of  restoration. 

There  are  drawings  to  scale  of  the  Long  Bennington  screen 
in  the  Sketch-book  of  the  Architectural  Association  (ist  series, 
vol.  ix.). 

Sione. — Crowland,  West  Deeping,  Lincoln  cathedral  f  (14th,  also  several 
p.),  Morton  (base),  Sedgebrook  (base),  Tattershall  f. 

Wood. — Addlethorpe  (new  reredos),  Alford,  Althorp,  Aswardby,  Barrow-on- 
Humber,  Barton-on-Hiimber,  Benniworth  (portion,  13th),  Billinghay, 
Boothby  Paynell,  Boston  (base),  Bratoft,  Burgh,  Cadney  (p.),  Cadton 
Scroop,  Carlton  South,  Claypole,  Cockerington  South,  Coningsby, 
Corringham  (restored),  Cotes-by-Stow  f ,  Croft,  Denton,  Digby,  Ewerby 
(and  p.),  Fishtoft,  Flixborough,  Folkingham,  Frampton,  Fristney, 
Gedney  (restored),  Grainsby,  Grainthorp  (p.),  Grimoldby,  Great 
Gonerby,  Hale,  Haltham  (p.),  Haxey,  Helpringham,  Horncastle 
(p.),  Ingoldmells  (portions,  14th),  Keal  (under  tower),  East  Kir  by 
(late  14th),  Kirby  Laythorpe,  Kirkstead  chapel  (portions,  early  13th), 
Legbourne,  Leverton,  Long  Bennington,  Lusby,  Marshchapel,  Moulton, 
Osbournby,  Partney,  Pickworth,  East  Pinchbeck,  Middle  Rasen, 
Rippingale  (canopy  only),  Saltfleetby,  All  Saints,  Saxilby,  Scotter, 
Scrivelsby,  Silk  Willoughby  (late  14th),  Sleaford  fj  South  Somercotes, 
Spalding  (restored) ;  Stamford,  St.  John's  (p.) ;  Stixwold  (p.),  Swaton 
(p.),  Swineshead,  Tallington  (tower  arch).  West  Theddlethorpe,  Thorp 
St.  Peter's,  Thurlby-by-Newark,  West  Torrington,  Ulceby  (round 
organ),  Westborough,  Welby,  Wickenby,  Wigtoft,  South  Willingham 
(restored),  Winthorpe,  Yarborough. 

There  are  also  fragments  of  wood  screens  at  Ancester,  Ashby- 
cum-Eenby,  Barnetby-le-Wold,  Bicker,  Butterwick,  Epworth,  Miningsby, 
Quadring,  Ropsby,  Rowston,  North  Scarle. 

Middlesex  and  London 

"  The  almost  entire  absence  of  screenwork  in  the  Middlesex 
churches,"  wrote  the  late  Mr.  Loftus  Brock  in  1891,  "is  very  striking." 
In  a  county  so  destitute  of  building  stone  and  that  had  such  an 
abundance  of  timber  in  the  old  days,  this  lack  is  at  first  sight  a 
difficulty  ;  but  the  probable  explanation  is  that  the  rapid  increase  of 
population  and  the  smallness  of  most  of  the  early  fabrics  led  to 


124        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

such  a  rebuilding  and  extending  of  the  churches  that  almost  the 
whole  of  the  old  fittings  disappeared. 

London,  St.  Paul's,  St.  Margaret  Patten,  St.  Peter  Cornhill  (all  Renaissance); 
Westminster  Abbey  (p.),  South  Mimms  (p.),  Ruislip  (parts). 

Monmouth 

Though  the  screenwork  in  this  county  is  slight  in  amount  it  is 
of  considerable  interest,  owing  to  the  affinity  it  shows  to  the  Welsh 
work.  English  Newton  has  a  stone  screen  of  early  I4th-cent. 
character,  consisting  of  three  well-moulded  arches,  of  which  that  in 
the  centre  is  the  narrower ;  the  spandrels  are  of  rough  masonry, 
and  there  is  no  cornice  or  coping.  Usk  priory  church  contains  a 
stately  rood-screen  of  wood  with  vaulted  cove  for  the  support  of 
a  gallery,  and  at  Abergavenny  is  a  curious  parclose  screen  forming 
the  backing  to  the  stalls,  which  is  pierced  by  numerous  irregularly 
placed  traceried  openings.  The  most  interesting,  however,  is  the 
screen  at  the  little  village  church  of  Llangwm  Uchaf  (restored  in 
1870)  ;  it  is  rich  in  detail,  and  preserves  in  a  perfect  state  its  rood- 
loft,  one  of  the  Welsh  type.  With  this  screen  should  be  compared 
that  at  Patricio,  near  Abergavenny,  which,  though  not  actually  in 
this  county,  is  on  its  border  ;  this  screen  preserves  not  only  its 
loft  but  the  altars  on  either  side  of  the  doorway. 

Stone. — Welsh  Newton. 

Wood. — Abergavenny,   St.    Mary   (p.).    Holy   Trinity;    Bettws   Newydd, 

Kemeys  Commander,  Llangattock  Llingoed,  Llangwm  Isaf,  Llangwm 

Uchaf  t,  Llanvair  Kilgeddin,  Magor,  Uskf. 

Norfolk 

Stone  screenwork  is  to  be  noted  at  Norwich  cathedral  and  at 
Wymondham,  but  one  of  the  special  glories  of  the  churches  of  this 
county  is  the  number  of  fine  wooden  rood-screens  and  fragments  of 
others  that  yet  remain.  The  cornices  and  canopy  work  are  not 
nearly  so  rich  as  those  of  the  west  of  England,  but  the  Norfolk 
screens  are  infinitely  superior  in  the  beauty  and  number  of  those 
which  have  figure  painting  on  the  lower  panels.  It  will  surprise 
many  to  learn,  as  is  shown  in  the  subjoined  list,  that  upwards 
of  eighty  Norfolk  churches  still  possess  painted  panels  of  this 
description. 


SCREENS    AND    ROOD-LOFTS  125 

Out  of  ninety  churches  specially  visited  in  the  district  of  the 
Broads,  it  was  found  that  twenty-two  still  retain  panels  of  saintly 
figures,  namely,  Lessingham,  Hempstead,  Upton,  Belaugh,  East 
Ruston,  Potter  Heigham,  Barton  Turf,  Ranworth,  Trimingham, 
Ludham,  North  Walsham,  Trunch,  Swafield,  Filby,  Edingthorpe, 
Westwick  (poorly  restored),  Catfield,  South  Repps,  Irstead,  Tun- 
stead,  Ranworth,  and  Worstead.  At  Barton  Turf  there  is  a  screen 
with  kingly  saints  to  the  south  chancel  chapel  as  well  as  the  rood- 
screen.  At  Worstead  there  are  not  only  painted  screens  at  the 
east  end  of  the  aisles  as  well  as  the  rood-screen,  but  also  there  is 
another  at  the  base  of  the  tower  arch  supporting  a  western  gallery. 
The  elaborate  and  memorable  screen  of  Ranworth  church,  with  its 
beautiful  paintings  and  parcloses  around  the  two  side  altars  against 
the  screen,  is  the  finest  and  most  interesting  painted  example  left 
in  England.*  The  beautifully  painted  screen  of  Strumpshaw 
church,  which  has  lately  undergone  a  conservative  restoration,  has 
obvious  traces  on  the  diapered  panels  of  the  places  where  the  two 
side  altars  formerly  stood. 

Three  of  the  rood-screens  of  this  district  are  of  greater  dignity 
in  height  than  the  remainder,  namely,  those  of  Tunstead,  Westwick, 
and  Swanton  Abbot.  They  differ  materially  from  the  others  in 
having  narrower  openings  with  mere  tracery  cuspings  at  the  apex 
of  each  division  ;  it  seems  probable  that  they  are  earlier  by  some 
years  than  the  more  usual  style. 

The  date  of  the  painted  figures  on  Norfolk  screens  covers  a 
period  of  about  a  century.  In  Carthew's  History  of  the  Hundred 
of  Launditch  it  is  stated  that  the  figure-painted  screen  of  Litcham 
is  about  1430.  The  Lady  chapel  screen  of  St.  John  Madder- 
market,  Norwich,  is  about  1450,  Burnham  Norton  screen  is  dated 
1458,  Poringland  1473,  and  Ludham  1493.  Dated  examples  of  the 
next  century  are  Trunch  1502,  Aylsham  1507,  Worstead  15 12,  and 
North  Burlingham  1528. 

The  question  of  the  incidence  of  the  saints  in  these  paintings  is 
far  too  long  for  discussion  in  this  place.  It  is  set  forth  at  length 
in  Mr.  G.  E.  Fox's  admirable  treatise  on  the  Mediaeval  Painting  in 
Norfolk  churches  in  vol.  ii.  of  the  Victoria  History  of  this  county. 

*  A  fine  folio  monograph  on  Ranworth  screen  was  brought  out  in  1867  by  Mr. 
C.  J.  W.  Winter,  in  connection  with  the  Norfolk  Archaeological  Society  :  and  another  on 
Barton  Turf  screen  in  1869.  ^  small  book  on  the  former  screen  was  also  issued  by 
Mr.  E.  F.  Strange  in  1902. 


126        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

The  apostles  largely  predominate,  but  there  are  a  few  interesting 
examples  of  local  saints.  The  saintly  Henry  VI.  appears  on  four 
of  the  screens,  as  well  as  on  several  wall  paintings. 

It  should  also  be  remembered  that  extraordinary  richness 
and  delicacy  of  colouring,  apart  from  the  figure  panels,  is  the 
usual  characteristic  of  the  Norfolk  (and  Suffolk)  screens  in  the 
traceries  of  the  upper  parts  as  well  as  in  the  spaces  of  the  base 
above  the  panels.  The  wealth  of  colour  and  ornament  thus 
lavishly  used  may  be  gathered  from  the  bare  enumeration  of  the 
successive  treatment  of  the  mouldings  of  the  lower  part  of  the 
screen  of  Worstead  (where  the  figure  panels  have  been  sadly 
spoilt  by  modern  treatment)  immediately  above  the  panels,  a 
space  less  than  a  foot  in  width — (i)  Blue  and  gold,  in  "barber's 
pole "  design ;  (2)  gold,  with  pattern ;  (3)  green,  with  cinque- 
foils  and  connecting  sprays  in  gold ;  (4)  gold,  with  pattern  ; 
(5)  red,  with  alternate  fleur-de-lis  and  sprigged  roses,  scolloped  at 
the  edge  with  green  ;  (6)  band  of  inscription,  gold  centre  with 
diagonal  ribbon  strips  bearing  gold  lettering  on  blue  ground,  with 
edging  of  red,  blue,  and  gold ;  and  (7)  broad  band  of  plain  gold. 

The  application  of  gesso-work — a  species  of  thin  plaster,  readily 
stamped  with  patterns  when  in  a  plastic  condition — to  the  richer 
examples  of  screens  is  well  discussed  and  explained  by  Mr.  Fox. 
Its  use  may  be  noted  at  Aylsham,  Cawston,  Trunch,  and  Worstead. 
It  is  satisfactory  to  note  that  Mr.  Fox  is  able  to  produce  sufficient 
evidence  to  establish  the  fact  that  "  the  art  of  painting  in  Norfolk 
throughout  the  middle  ages  was  practised  by  natives  of  that 
county  with  very  little  influence  from  abroad." 

Acle,  Castle  Acre  ^',  South  Acre,  Ashmanhaugh,  Attleborough  *,  Aylmer- 
ton,  Aylsham*  (1507),  Babingley,  Baconthorpe  (screen  round  organ, 
formerly  rood-screen  of  Bessingham),  Banham,  Barnham  Broom  *, 
Barton  Bendish,  Barton  Turf  *^  Bedingham,  Beeston-next-Sea*,  Beeston 
Regis,  Belaugh  *,  Billingford,  Binham  *,  Blakeney,  Blofield  *,  Breckles, 
Bridgeham,  Brisley,  Brockdish,  Buckenham,  New,  Burlingham  St. 
Andrew*,  Burlingham  St.  Edmund,  Burlingham  St.  Peter,  Burnham 
Norton  *,  Buxton*,  Carbrooke  *,  Carlton  Rode  *,  Catfield  *^  Cawston  * 
{c.  1450),  Colkirk,  Corpusty,  Costessey,  Cottishall,  Creake,  North  * 
(parts),  Creake,  South,  Cressingham,  Great,  Crostwight,  Denton  * 
(panels  made  into  a  chest),  Deopham,  Dersingham  *,  Dickleborough, 
Earlham,  Edgefield*,  Edingthorpe  *  (14th),  North  Elmham  *, 
Elsing  *,      Emneth     (remains),    Erpingham,    Fakenham,     Feltham, 


SCREENS   AND    ROOD-LOFTS  127 

Feltwell,  Filby  *,  Fincham,  Foulden,  Foxley  *,  Freethorpe, 
Fritton  *,  Garboldisham,  Gateley,  Gillingham,  Gooderstone  *,  Graf- 
ton, Gressenhall  *,  Grimstone,  Hackford  f ,  Happisburgh,  Hardwick, 
Harling,  East  (p.),  Harpley  (repainted),  Hempstead,  Hethersett, 
Hickling,  Hockwold-cum-Witton,  Horsey,  Horsham  St.  Faith  * 
(1528),  Houghton-le-dale  *,  Hunstanton*,  Ickburgh,  Ingham* 
(panels  in  private  possession),  Ingworth  (lower  part),  Instead  *, 
Kenninghall,  Knapton,  Lessingham  *,  Litcham  *  (Henry  VI.), 
Loddon  *,  Longham,  Liidham*  (1493),  King's  Lynn,  South  Lynn*, 
Marsham*,  Martham,  Great  Massingham^  Mattishall*,  Mautby, 
Merton  *,  Middleton  *,  Morston  *,  Moulton,  Mundford,  Neatishead  *, 
Northwold  *  ;  Norwich,  St.  Gregory  *,  St.  John  Maddermarket  *,  St. 
John-at-Sepulchre  *,  St.  John  Timberhill  (old  screen  from  Horstead), 
St.  Michael-at-Plea  *,  St.  Paul,  St.  Peter  Mountergate  *,  St.  Simon 
and  Jude  *,  St.  Swithin  * ;  Outwell,  Oxburgh  *,  Paston,  Great  Plum- 
stead  *,  Potter  Heigham  *,  Poringland  *,  Pulham  (base),  Pulham 
St.  Mary  Magdalen,  Pulham  St.  Mary  Virgin  *,  Rackheath,  South  Rain- 
ham,  Ranworth*  (panels  hung  on  vestry  walls),  South  Redenhall*, 
Repps  '"',  Ringland  *,  Rudham,*  Rushall,  East  Ruston  *,  Salhouse  *, 
Salle*,  Salthouse  *,  Santon  Downham  (14th),  Saxthorpe,  Seaming*, 
Shelfanger,  Sheringhamf,  Shingham,  Smallburgh*,  Snitterton,  Spar- 
ham*  (remains),  Sprixworth,  Stalham*  (preserved  at  rectory),  Stanfield, 
Strumpshaw  (painted),  Suffield*,  Sustead,  Swaffham,  Swafield*, 
Swanton  Abbot  *,  Swanton  Morley,  Swardeston,  Taconeston  *,  Taver- 
ham*;  Thetford,  St.  Cuthbert,  St.  Peter*;  Thornham  *,  Thorpe, 
Abbots,  Threxton,  Thurlton,  Tibenham,  Tilney  All  Saints  (Jacobean, 
1 618),  Tivetshall,  Toft  Monks,  West  Toft,  Tottington,  Trim- 
ingham  *"",  Trunch  *  (1502),  Tuddenham  *,  Tunstead  *  fj  Upton*, 
Upwell,  Walcot,  Walpole  St.  Peter*,  North  Walsham *,  South  Wal- 
sham,  New  Walsingham,  Walsoken,  Weeting  *,  Wellingham  *  (1532), 
Wells,  Wendling,  Wesenham,  Weston  Longueville  *,  Westwick  *, 
Wheatacre,  Wickmere,  Wiggenhall  St.  Mary  Magdalen  *,  Wiggenhall 
St.  Mary  Virgin*  (14th),  Wighton,  Wolferton,  Worstead  *  (15 12), 
Great  Wrotham  *,  Great  Yarmouth,  Yelverton,  Yetford. 


Northamptonshire 

The  stone  chancel  screen  of  Finedon  was  considerably  restored 
in  1858,  but  incorporates  part  of  the  old  screen  of  I4th-cent.  date. 
There  is  a  stone  screen  at  Ringstead  between  north  chapel  and 
chancel.  Tl\e  low  stone  screen  of  Sutton  was  unfortunately 
removed  in  1867. 

Three  churches  of  the  county  contain  some  interesting  remains 


128        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

of  old  wooden  screenwork.  At  Kings  Sutton  there  is  a  beautiful 
rood-screen,  in  eight  divisions,  of  the  14th  cent.  There  are  also 
two  other  rood-screens  late  in  that  century  at  Bozeat  and 
Harrowden  ;  in  the  former  case  the  lower  panels  used  to  bear 
painted  figures,  one  of  which  is  kept  at  the  vicarage.  Middleton 
Cheney  is  a  good  example  of  a  late  I5th-cent.  screen,  but  in  that 
case  the  cornice  only  dates  from  1865.  Bugbrook  is  richly 
canopied.  By  far  the  best  instance  in  the  county  or  district  of  a 
screen  carrying  the  base  of  the  rood-loft  is  at  Ashby  St.  Ledgers. 
This  well-canopied  screen  is  of  delicate  and  admirable  con- 
struction, and  beautifully  carved.  The  lower  panels  still  show  a 
good  deal  of  the  original  painting,  chiefly  in  red  and  green.  The 
stairway  to  the  rood-loft  on  the  south  side,  with  the  two  original 
doors,  are  quite  perfect ;  the  floor  of  the  loft  is  5  feet  6  inches  wide. 

Above  the  beautifully  crested  screen  of  Higham  Ferrers  is  the 
rood -beam. 

Pytchley  underwent  a  most  searching  "restoration"  in  1843, 
when  the  lower  part  of  the  old  chancel  screen  was  used  in  the 
making  of  a  reading-desk,  and  the  tympanum  frame  (which  has 
been  already  named)  was  placed  against  the  west  wall  of  the  nave. 
There  were  till  quite  recently  several  figure-painted  panels  of  the 
old  screen  kept  in  the  vicarage  at  Grafton  Regis  ;  but  they  have 
now  "  disappeared  ; "  one  of  the  figures  bore  a  head  in  his  hand, 
with  inscription  Sanctus  Dionisiiis.  There  were  also  several  old 
painted  panels  of  the  rood-screen  in  the  vicarage  at  Bozeat ;  one 
of  these  now  remains,  a  figure  in  red  with  a  large  star  over  his  head, 
supposed  to  form  part  of  Visit  of  Magi. 

Holdenby  church  contains  a  chancel  screen  of  great  interest  and 
fine  classical  design.  It  dates  from  about  1580,  when  the  first 
great  Renaissance  architect,  John  Thorpe,  was  building  the 
magnificent  pile  of  Holdenby  House.  A  fanciful  notion  has 
obtained  some  currency  that  this  screen  was  not  designed  for  the 
church,  but  was  moved  here  when  so  much  of  the  great  house  was 
pulled  down  in  the  17th  cent.  The  plans,  however,  of  the  house 
are  extant,  and  there  was  no  such  screen,  or  any  space  for  it,  in 
any  part  of  the  building.  The  late  Mr.  Micklethwaite,  who  paid 
two  special  visits  to  inspect  the  screen,  was  able  to  point  out 
several  features  that  established  its  construction  for  a  church  and 
not  for  any  house-chapel.  The  church  was  beautified  in  other  ways 
by  Thorpe's  workmen,  both  in  wood  and  stone,  but  much  of  this 


SCREENS    AND   ROOD-LOFTS  129 

excellent  work  was,  alas!  swept  away  at  a  destructive  restoration 
in  1868.  At  that  time  the  lofty  superstructure  of  the  screen  was 
pulled  down,  and  now  disfigures  other  parts  of  the  church.  The 
chancel  screen  of  Marston  St.  Laurence,  dated  16 10,  was  moved 
to  the  west  end  of  the  church  during  the  disastrous  restoration  of 

1877. 

A  very  fine  classical  screen  was  erected  in  the  rebuilt  church  of 
All  Saints,  Northampton,  in  1676.  It  was  unhappily  removed  at 
the  "restoration"  of  1865  ;  parts  of  it  are  now  worked  up  into 
the  three  doorways  out  of  the  western  vestibule  into  the  church. 

Drawings  of  the  Irthlingborough  screen  appear  in  the  Sketch- 
book of  the  Architectural  Association  (ist  series,  vol.  ix.). 

Great  Addington  (p.),  Little  Addington,  Apethorpe  (screen  under  tower, 
1633),  Ashby  St.  Ledgers,  Badby  (piece  in  vestry),  Barnack  (base, 
also  p.),  Great  Billing,  Bozeat  *  (late  14th),  Burton  Latimer,  Bug- 
brook,  Catesby,  Catterstock,  Dodford,  Denford  (base,  and  p.),  Earls 
Barton  (restored),  Everdon,  Evenley,  Floore,  Geddington  (1618  p.), 
Hannington,  Hargrave,  Harrington,  Harringworth,  Great  Harrow- 
den  (14th),  Little  Harrowden,  Higham  Ferrers  (and  p.),  Holdenby 
(Eliz.),  Irchester  (base,  and  p.),  Irthlingborough  (base  and  p.),  Isham 
(base),  King's  Cliffe  (parts  in  pulpit  and  reading-desk),  Lilburne, 
Marston  St.  Lawrence  (16 10),  Middleton  Cheney,  Nassington  (parts), 
Northampton  All  Saints  (17th,  parts),  Peakirk  (parts),  Peterborough 
(parts),  Polebrook,  Rounds  (p.),  Rushden  (and  p.),  Sibbertoft  (good 
fragment),  Stanford  (now  in  tower  arch),  Strixton,  Tansor  (moved), 
Warmington  (parts),  Weston  Favell  (p.,  end  of  17th),  Wellingborough. 


Nottinghamshire 

There  is  not  much  screenwork  in  this  county.  The  stone 
structural  screen  at  Southwell  minster  is  of  I4th-cent.  date. 

Of  wood  screens,  the  best  is  the  very  rich  canopied  rood-screen 
at  Newark,  dating  from  about  1500.  The  lofty  screen  of  Strelley 
is  also  canopied.  The  Staunton  screen  is  dated  15 15,  and  bears 
an  inscription  asking  prayers  for  the  donor.  Balderton  is  a  good 
example,  c.  1475.  The  base  of  Bingham  screen  is  old,  but  dis- 
figured with  inappropriate  modern  painting.  This  was  a  case  of 
a  filled-up  tympanum  in  the  arch  above  the  screen  up  to  the  date 
of  the  church's  restoration,  as  shown  in  a  sketch  taken  in  1845, 
which  is  preserved  in  the  church.  At  the  time  of  the  removal  of 
the  filling-up,  the  tympanum  bore  the  royal  arms  and  the  date 


I30        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

1777  ;  but  there  can  be  little  doubt  that  it  had  originally  a  painted 
Rood.  Lambley  is  remarkable  for  having  the  rood-loft  stairs  in  the 
north  wall,  and  a  further  set  of  stairs  in  the  south  wall,  which  led 
from  the  rood-loft  to  the  roof  There  are  some  of  those  small 
piercings  in  the  panels  on  the  right-hand  side  of  the  screen  at 
Wysall,  which  served  as  "  squints  "  for  kneeling  worshippers.  Blyth 
has  painted  panels  in  the  rood-screen  of  the  parochial  nave. 

Balderton,  Bingham  (base),  Blyth  *,  West  Bridgeford  (foundation),  Burton 
Joyce,  North  CoUingham,  East  Drayton,  Halloughton,  Hawton, 
Holme,  Kelham,  Lambley,  East  Leake  (fragments),  East  Markham, 
Newark  f,  Ordsall  (now  under  tower),  Plumtree  (restored),  Staunton, 
Strelley  f ,  Walkeringham,  Winkbury,  Woodborough  (remains),  Wysall. 


Oxfordshire 

The  county  is  celebrated  for  having  the  oldest  chancel  screen 
(Stanton  Harcourt)  in  its  original  position  in  England.  The  old 
screen  at  Thurcaston,  Leics.,  is  probably  somewhat  earlier  in  the 
13th  cent,  than  that  at  Stanton  Harcourt,  but  it  has  been  moved. 
This  Oxford  example  has  a  series  of  trefoil-headed  narrow  arches 
supported  on  slender  banded  shafts  ;  it  is  of  the  latter  part  of  the 
reign  of  Henry  III.,  and,  its  mouldings  correspond  with  those  of 
the  arch  in  which  it  is  fitted.  The  Stanton  Harcourt  screen  is 
14  feet  7  inches  wide  and  9  feet  4  inches  high  ;  the  hinges,  bolt, 
and  lock  of  the  double  doors  are  original  and  still  perfect.  It  is 
well  illustrated  in  Parker's  Glossary.  At  Cropredy  are  some 
remains  of  a  rood-screen  of  I4th-cent.  date,  and  in  the  same  church 
is  some  I5th-cent.  screenwork  enclosing  a  chantry  chapel  in  the 
south  aisle.  There  are  several  other  interesting  screens  in  the 
county.  At  Charlton-on-Otmoor,  Handborough,  and  RoUright 
the  coped  work  supports  the  foundation  of  the  rood-loft.  At 
Bloxham,  Handborough,  and  Swalcliffe  there  are  considerable 
traces  of  the  original  colouring.  Swinbrook  is  given  in  Bury's 
Ecclesiastical  Woodwork  (1847)  ^^  a  good  example  of  a  canopied 
rood-screen. 

Drawings  of  the  Handborough  screen  appear  in  the  Sketch- 
book of  the  Architectural  Association  (1st  series,  vol.  viii.). 

At  Broughton  is  a  stone  chancel  screen  of  I4th-cent.  workman- 
ship. The  stone  screen  at  North  Leigh  is  modern  ;  there  was  a 
"  Grecian  wooden  screen  "  when  Parker  wrote  in  1842. 


HANDBOROUGH,   OXFORDSHIRE 


CHARLTON-ON-OXMOOR,   OXFORDSHIRE 


SCREENS    AND    ROOD-LOFTS  131 

Stone. — Broughton. 

Wood. — Adderbury,  Great  Barford,  Bloxham  *  (restored),  Brize  Norton 
(restored),  Charlton-on-Otmoor  *,  Chinnor,  Cropredy  (14th),  Cumnor, 
Deddington,  Dorchester,  Handborough  f,  Lower  Heyford,  Langford, 
South  Leigh  (restored),  Milcombe  (restored),  Oxford  cathedral  (p.), 
Great  RoUrightf,  Rousham,  Shutford,  Somerton,  Stanton  Harcourt 
(13th),  Stanton  St.  John  (p.),  Stokenchurch,  Swalchffe,  Swinbrookj, 
Sydenham,  Warborough,  Wardington,  Westcote  Barton ""',  Yarnton 
(post-Reformation),  Yelford. 

Rutland 

There  is  but  little  screenwork  remaining  among  the  old  churches 
of  Rutland.  They  passed  through  a  period  of  exceptional  neglect, 
followed  by  most  drastic  "  restorations."  A  writer  who  contributed 
a  series  of  descriptive  church  articles  to  the  Stamford  Mercury 
in  1860-62,  reported  that  the  screen  of  the  neglected  church 
of  Bisbrooke  "  lay  on  the  chancel  floor ; "  that  the  screen  of  Stoke 
Dry  was  much  mutilated  and  broken  ;  that  Belton  chancel 
screen  had  "  pretty  tracery  ; "  that  North  Luffenham  had  "  an 
original  chancel  screen  of  three  open  panels  with  tracery  above  ; " 
and  that  Langham  had  a  I4th-cent.  screen.  Great  Chesterton 
had  at  that  time  a  "chancel  arch  hidden  by  a  tottering  singing 
gallery,"  which  reads  as  if  it  was  the  remains  of  a  rood-loft  ;  and 
Caldecot  had  the  remains  of  a  screen  worked  up  into  a  reading- 
desk. 

The  one  notable  piece  of  screenwork  now  surviving  is  the  rood- 
screen  of  Stoke  Dry,  which  is  of  great  interest,  though  in  a 
mutilated  condition.  It  is  coped  with  fan  tracery  on  the  west  side 
for  the  support  of  the  former  loft ;  the  peculiar  feature  is  that  it 
has  lateral  moulded  projections  at  each  end,  which  probably  served 
to  support  additional  figures  to  the  three  that  formed  the  central 
Rood. 

Caldecot  (parts),,  Egleton,  Harringworth,  Ketton  (parts).  South  Luffenham 
(parts),  Lyddington,  Stoke  Dry  "j". 

Shropshire 

The  very  beautiful  screenwork  of  Tong  and  Ludlow  is  known 
to  be  about  the  middle  of  the  15th  cent.  Highley,  North  Lyd- 
bury,  and  Bettws-y-Crwyn  have  elaborately  carved  rood-screens. 

At  North  Lydbury  the  old  structural  connection  between  the 


132        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

screen  and  the  rood-loft  is  shown  after  a  curious  fashion.  In  the 
place  of  the  rood-loft  is  a  remarkable  painting  of  the  Command- 
ments, the  Creed,  and  the  Our  Father  in  black  letter,  signed  by 
"Charles  Bright,  churchwarden,  1615." 

The  altar  rails  of  Llanvair  Waterdine  are  made  out  of  curious 
carved  fragments  of  a  late  mediaeval  rood-screen.  The  carving 
includes  a  remarkable  inscription  in  fifty-seven  letters,  which  has 
hitherto  eluded  the  attempts  at  deciphering  of  the  most  skilled 
palasographists. 

On  the  north  side  of  Adderley  church  (rebuilt  in  1 801)  is  a 
singularly  fine  piece  of  late  Jacobean  screenwork,  removed  from 
the  former  church.  It  is  illustrated  in  Mr.  Cranage's  great  work  on 
the  churches  of  the  county. 

Adderley  (17th),  Bitterley  f  (remains),  Bettwys-y-Crwyn,  Cleobury 
Mortimer  (p.),  Ditton  Priors  (part),  Easthope,  Ellesmere,  Ford, 
Hughley  f,  Kinlet,  Ludlow  f,  Llanvair  Waterdine  (parts)^  North 
Lydbury,  Munslow,  Neen  Savage  (restored),  Shifnall,  Tasley,  Tong. 


Somersetshire 

though  quite  overshadowed  in  the  number  of  its  screens  by  the 
adjacent  county  of  Devon,  has  a  variety  of  beautiful  examples, 
chiefly  in  West  Somerset,  between  Taunton  and  Minehead. 

In  stonework  there  is  a  good  i5th-cent.  rood-screen  at 
Brimpton. 

Though  there  is  no  old  rood-loft  remaining  in  the  county,  there 
are  several  good  groined  or  coped  screens  that  carry  the  floor  of 
the  loft.  A  particularly  fine  example  of  such  screens  is  the  richly 
carved  and  gilded  rood-screen  of  Banwell ;  it  was  erected  about 
1522  ;  the  churchwardens'  accounts  have  many  particulars  as  to  its 
cost.  At  Lydeard  St.  Laurence  some  early  Jacobean  painting  of 
arms  and  royal  symbols  has  been  introduced  into  a  late  I5th-cent. 
screen.  It  may  be  well  to  cite  a  passage  from  a  series  of  articles 
contributed  to  the  Athenceum  in  September,  1906,  as  to  the 
churches  of  the  Hundred  of  Carhampton. 

A  particular  feature  of  the  isth-cent.  or  Perpendicular  archi- 
tecture of  the  churches  of  West  Somerset,  which  also  prevails 
generally  in  Cornwall  and  Devon,  is  the  frequent  absence  of  both 
chancel   arches   and   nave   clerestories.     The   absence  of  chancel 


SCREENS    AND    ROOD-LOFTS  133 

arches  led  to  the  greater  elaboration  of  rood-screens.  Well-carved 
screens,  to  judge  from  fragments  of  about  1450,  which  ran  across 
the  churches  of  Luccombe,  Selworthy,  and  Porlock,  were  pulled 
down  during  the  respective  refittings  of  those  buildings  in  the  first 
half  of  the  19th  cent.  The  Luccombe  screen  was  removed  in  1840, 
the  best  parts  being  used  as  a  reredos  and  for  the  front  of  a  west 
gallery.  In  a  recent  admirable  restoration  of  this  church  most  of 
these  fragments  have  been  used  in  a  low  screen.  At  the  little 
church  of  Culbone  the  screen  across  the  chancel  arch  still  remains  ; 
it  is  of  somewhat  rude  but  effective  design,  and  has  large  quatrefoils 
at  the  head  of  each  of  the  eight  openings,  four  on  each  side  of  the 
doorway. 

There  is,  however,  a  most  remarkable  group  of  screens  in  five 
adjacent  parishes  of  this  Hundred,  all  c.  1500,  and  obviously 
executed  by  the  same  set  of  craftsmen.  They  had  not  received 
the  attention  they  deserve,  and  are  to  be  found  in  the  churches  of 
Dunster,  Minehead,  Carhampton,  Timberscombe,  and  Withycombe. 
The  last  two  of  these,  being  in  small  churches  in  villages  off  main 
roads,  are  almost  unknown.  They  have  a  character  of  their  own, 
differing  much  from  the  fine  screens  of  South  Devon,  but  having 
a  considerable  resemblance  to  the  well-known  example  in  Hartland 
church,  North  Devon.  All  of  these  screens  are  about  1 1  feet  high, 
but  vary  greatly  in  length,  in  proportion  to  the  width  of  the  church 
— from  Dunster,  with  fourteen  bays  or  compartments,  seven  on 
each  side  of  the  central  doorway,  stretching  across  the  nave  and 
both  aisles,  to  Withycombe,  with  only  two  compartments  on  each 
side  of  the  doorway,  across  the  east  end  of  the  nave  of  this  small 
church,  which  has  a  width  of  only  18  feet  6  inches.  These  screens 
are  coved  or  canopied  on  each  side,  so  as  to  allow  of  a  considerable 
width  for  the  rood-loft  above  them.  At  Minehead  the  top  of  the 
screen  is  about  8  feet  in  width,  and  at  Withycombe  it  is  5  feet 
8  inches.  The  beautiful  tracery  of  four  divisions  in  each  com- 
partment is  similar  in  each  instance,  and  there  is  also  a  close 
likeness  in  the  enriched  lines  of  finely  carved  cornices  that  project 
above  the  coving  on  the  western  side.  These  screens  were  stripped 
of  their  roods  at  the  time  of  the  Reformation,  and  the  protecting 
panels  of  the  rood-lofts  have  also  disappeared,  but  otherwise  they 
are  in  good  condition. 

The  exact  date  of  the  finest  of  the  series,  that  of  Dunster,  is 
known,  and  it  was  probably  the  harbinger  of  the  rest.     A  dispute 


J34        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

arose  towards  the  close  of  the  15th  cent,  between  the  Benedictine 
prior  of  Dunster  and  the  parochial  vicar  of  the  town  as  to  the  use 
of  the  respective  portions  of  the  church.  The  dispute  was  settled 
in  1499  by  the  Abbot  of  Glastonbury  as  arbitrator,  when  it  was 
decided  that  the  parishioners,  who  seem  previously  to  have  used 
the  crossing  under  the  tower  as  a  chancel,  were  to  be  strictly 
confined  to  the  nave.  The  handsome  rood-screen  was  then  put  up 
across  the  nave  and  its  aisles  in  the  unusual  position  of  two  bays 
from  the  east,  in  order  to  secure  a  proper  chancel  or  presbytery  for 
the  use  of  the  parish. 

The  Minehead  screen,  across  the  nave  and  south  aisle,  has 
eleven  compartments,  including  the  two  that  form  the  entrances  to 
the  chapel  and  north  aisle.  The  church v/ard ens'  accounts  show 
that  the  loft  was  reused  and  fitted  with  seats  in  1630.  These  seats 
remained  on  this  wide  loft  and  were  used  by  school  children,  both 
boys  and  girls,  up  to  the  restoration  of  the  church  in  1887-9. 

The  screen  at  Carhampton  underwent  slight  repair  and  a 
complete  painting  and  gilding  at  the  time  when  the  church  was 
considerably  restored  in  1862-3.  There  is  not,  of  course,  the 
shadow  of  a  doubt  that  all  these  screens  were  originally  beautifully 
painted  and  gilded  ;  but  the  attempt  to  reproduce  the  old  effect  at 
Carhampton  is  somewhat  of  a  failure,  though  laudable  enough  for 
the  time  at  which  it  was  made.  Too  much  white  has  been  used, 
and  the  colours  are  too  crudely  tinted. 

But  if  the  repainting  of  the  Carhampton  screen  cannot  be 
regarded  with  satisfaction,  the  extraordinary  and  incongruous 
shades  with  which  some  one  has  seen  fit  to  smear  the  beautiful  old 
screen  of  Timberscombe  must  certainly  be  viewed  with  general 
distaste. 

The  screen  of  the  little  church  of  Withycombe  is  unspoilt  by 
modern  colouring,  but  the  compartment  adjoining  the  south  wall  has 
been  stripped  of  all  its  tracery  in  order  to  make  an  easy  thorough- 
fare from  the  chancel  seats  into  the  adjoining  pulpit  in  the  nave. 
Local  gossip  says  that  this  ruthless  deed  was  perpetrated  for  the 
convenience  of  a  former  minister  of  unusual  dimensions. 

The  chancel  screen  at  Alford  is  of  an  early  type,  and  not  in  its 
original  position.  The  Bridgwater  parclose  screen  is  of  an  early 
and  massive  character  ;  it  was  formerly  across  the  chancel.  The 
much-discussed  cornice  of  the  Norton  Fitzwarren  rood-screen,  with 
quaint  carvings  illustrative  of  a  local  dragon  legend,  was  inserted  at 


WILTHYCOMBE,    SOMERSET 


SCREENS    AND    ROOD-LOFTS  135 

a  last-century  restoration.  The  Curry  Rivel  screen,  which  is  early 
and  somewhat  rude  in  execution,  is  believed  to  be  unique  in  its 
arrangement  ;  the  loft  groining  is  supported  on  shafts  standing  out 
clear  in  front  of  the  main  mullions.  Low  Ham  chancel  screen  is  a 
very  curious  Carolean  imitation  of  Gothic.  The  sister  screens  of 
North  Newton  and  Thurloxton  are  of  heavy  Laudian  type,  richly 
carved,  and  with  open  arcades. 

At  Castle  Gary,  the  old  rood-screen  has  been  restored  and  now 
encloses  the  vestry.  At  Combe  St.  Nicjjolas  the  rood-screen  has 
been  taken  down  and  placed  behind  the  stalls.  In  1849,  ^^^  rood- 
screen  of  the  church  at  Fitzhead  was  taken  down  and  re-erected 
at  the  west  end  ;  but  it  has  recently  been  replaced  in  its  original 
position.  The  tympanum,  or  filling  up  at  the  back  of  the  rood-loft, 
may  still  be  noticed  at  Raddington.  On  the  north  wall  of  the 
tower  of  Winsham  church  is  a  remarkable  early  painting  of  the 
Crucifixion  on  canvas,  which  originally  formed  the  tympanum  at 
the  back  of  the  rood-loft.  Our  Lord  hangs  between  the  two 
thieves,  and  the  two  Marys  are  below  the  central  cross  ;  it  is 
illustrated  in  vol.  xxiii.  (1900)  of  the  Bristol  and  Gloucester 
Archceological  Society's  Transactions. 

Croscombe  has  an  exceptionally  fine  early  i8th-cent.  screen. 
The  screen  at  Elworthy  is  of  Laudian  date,  and  inscribed — "O 
Lord,  prepare  our  arts  to  praye.     Anno  Domi  1632." 

Stone. — Backwell  (p.),  Brimpton,  Dundon  Compton  (base),  Stoke-sub- 
Hamdon,  Wells  \. 

Alford,  Long  Ashton  (and  p.),  Backwell,  Banwellf  (1522),  Bicknoller  j, 
Bishops  Lydeardf,  Bridgwater  (p.),  Brimpton,  Brushford  (r4th), 
Burrington  (and  p.),  Queen  Camel  j,  Carhamptonj,  Castle  Cary 
(part),  Cheddar,  North  Cheriton  (restored),  Churchstanton  (frag- 
ments), Combe  St.  Nicholas  (p.),  Compton  Martin  (p.),  Congres- 
bury,  Croscombe  (18th),  Crowcombej,  Culbone,  Curry  Rivel  (early), 
St.  Decumen,  Ditcheat  (1630),  Dunster  f  (and  p.),  Elworthy  (1632), 
Fitzhead  t,  Halse  (restored).  High  Hamf,  Low  Ham  (17th),  Kelston, 
Keynsham  (p.,  15th  and  17th),  Kingsbury  Episcopi  (restored  1843), 
Limington  (fragments),  Luccombe  (parts),  Lydeard  St.  Laurence, 
Mere,  Middlezoy,  MilbornePortt,  Mineheadf,  North  Newton  (1637), 
Norton  Fitzwarren  f,  Norton  St.  Philip  (p.),  Nunney,  Nynehead 
(restored),  Care  (chiefly  modern),  West  Pennard,  Pilton,  Porlock 
(fragments),  Priddy  (17th),  Raddington,  Long  Sutton  f  (restored), 
Thurloxton  (i 7th),  Timberscombe  t,  Tintinhull  (base),  Trent  t,  Trull  f, 
Wellow,  Whitestanton,  Winsham  (tower),  Withycombe  f,  Wrington. 


136        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


Staffordshire 

The  extant  church  screenwork  of  this  county  is  comparatively 
unimportant.  Blore,  however,  has  a  rood-screen  and  parclose  of 
much  interest.  The  rood-screens  of  both  Bh'thfield  and  Enville 
have  been  considerably  restored.  The  east  ends  of  both  the  aisles 
of  Hamstall  Ridware  are  enclosed  with  old  screens  ;  the  one  on 
the  south  side  is  the  earliest.  There  is  much  new  screenwork  in 
Staffordshire,  both  in  wood  and  stone.  At  Penkridge  are  remark- 
able church  gates  and  grills  of  wrought-iron  work  ;  they  are  of 
Dutch  workmanship,  dated  1778,  and  were  brought  here  from 
Cape  Town. 

Blithfield  (restored),  Blore,  Enville  (restored),  Hamstall  Ridware  (p.),  Salt, 
Sandon,  Swinnerton,  Tettenhall  (p.),  Trentham  (17th),  Waterfall  (17th), 
Wolverhampton  (p.). 


Suffolk 

It  is  only  at  Long  Melford  and  Bramford  that  there  is  any 
stone  screenwork  in  this  county.  In  the  latter  case  there  is  a  fine 
stone  chancel  screen  of  three  arches,  dating  from  early  in  the 
14th  cent. 

Suffolk  is  not  quite  so  rich  in  wood  screenwork  as  Norfolk,  but 
there  are  a  few  beautiful  painted  examples,  and  many  others  of 
merit.  Somerleyton  and  Sotterley  have  good  painted  panels  of 
apostles  and  saints.  The  Woodbridge  screens  form  a  continuous 
stretch  across  nave  and  aisles.  Barking,  Belton,  and  Grundisburgh 
are  fine  instances.  Withersfield  has  much  better  carving  on  the 
east  than  on  the  west  front.  Hawstead  is  noteworthy  for  having 
the  old  sanctus  bell  attached  to  it  ;  an  arrangement  which  also 
occurs  at  Salhouse,  Norfolk.  In  some  instances  parts  of  the  old 
rood-screen  are  preserved  in  more  recent  furniture,  as  is  the  case 
with  the  altar  rails  at  Blakenham.  At  Kedington  the  chancel  screen 
is  dated  1 6 19. 

The  Hundred  of  Blything,  however,  has  the  best  of  the  Suffolk 
screenwork.  It  possesses  one  glorious  old  screen  at  Southwold, 
another  of  almost  equal  value  at  Bramfield,  a  third,  of  much  merit, 
at  Westhall,  as  well  as  several,  of  which  the  greater  part  or  good 


SCREENS   AND    ROOD-LOFTS  137 

fragments  remain.  To  take  the  latter  first,  the  remains  of  the 
BJythburgh  screens  are  well  worth  notice  ;  the  base  of  one  half 
of  the  rood-screen  is  in  position  at  South  Cove  ;  there  are  two  good 
painted  panels  of  the  old  screen  (St.  John  the  Evangelist  and  St. 
Mary  Magdalen)  preserved  in  the  vestry  door  of  Sotherton  church, 
and  there  is  much  left  of  a  good  old  rood-screen  at  Rumburgh. 
The  Westhall  screen  is  remarkable  for  the  fairly  good  and  un- 
restored  state  of  preservation  of  the  series  of  saints  on  the  panels 
of  the  base ;  they  are  eight  in  number  on  each  side,  and  merit  far 
closer  attention  than  they  have  yet  received.  The  Bram field  screen 
is  of  great  beauty  and  in  remarkable  preservation,  and  worth  a 
special  pilgrimage  ;  the  village  lies  two  and  a  half  miles  south  of 
Halesworth.  The  coved  canopy-work  that  supported  the  rood-loft 
remains  on  each  side  ;  it  projects  from  the  screen  on  the  west  side 
30  inches,  and  27  inches  on  the  east  side.  There  are  abundant 
remains  of  the  original  delicate  painting  on  the  screen  itself,  as  well 
as  on  the  saint-bearing  panels  of  the  base.  The  diminutive  figures 
of  angels  among  the  divisions  of  the  canopy-work  on  the  south  side 
of  the  front  of  the  screen  (they  are  absent  from  the  north  side) 
probably  indicate  the  presence  here  of  an  altar  to  St.  Michael  and 
the  Angel  Host. 

The  glories  of  the  painted  Southwold  screens,  stretching  across 
the  whole  width  of  the  church,  have  been  too  often  described  to 
need  more  than  mention.  But  a  word  of  protest  must  be  entered 
against  the  cool  assumption  that  the  merchant  princes  of  this  part 
of  England  had  to  import  artificers  across  the  seas  to  carve  and 
paint  in  these  beautiful  churches — and  yet  the  run  of  guide-book 
writers  will  persist  in  propagating  this  very  unpatriotic  and  baseless 
notion.  The  best  short  handbook  to  the  church  (written  by 
Mr.  C.  R.  B.  Barrett)  says  of  the  screen  that  ft  is  "a  worthy 
monument  of  the  skilled  foreign  artists  by  whom  it  must  have 
been  executed."  Mr.  G.  E.  Fox,  however,  conclusively  showed 
the  falsity  of  this  idea  in  an  address  delivered  in  this  church  a  few 
years  ago  to  the  Archaeological  Institute,  when  he  gave  the  names 
of  the  probable  local  artists. 

The  fairly  good  and  interesting  screen  of  Cratfield  church  has, 
of  late,  been  rendered  ridiculous  by  being  moved— or  rather  the 
mover  of  it  has  made  himself  ridiculous — from  the  chancel  archway 
to  the  fiUed-up  archway  leading  into  the  tower  at  the  west  end  of 
the  nave. 


138        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Stone. — Bramford,  Long  Melford  (p.). 

Wood, — Alpheton,  Athelington,  Bacton  (p.),  Badley,  Bard  well,  Barking, 
Barnardiston,  Barningham,  Barrow,  Barsham  (Jacobean),  Great  Barton 
(p.),  Bedfield  *,  Belton,  Billingford,  Great  Blakenham  (remains), 
Blundeston  *,  Blythburgh  (p.),  Bramfield  "'  t,  Brandon  (base),  Brockley, 
Burgate,  Burstall  (14th),  Cavendish,  Cavenham  (14th),  Cockfield, 
Coddenham  *  (remains).  Combs,  Great  Cornard  (base),  South  Cove  * 
(base).  Cowling,  Cratfield,  Greeting  St.  Mary,  Dennington,  Ellough, 
South  Elmham  All  Saints,  Eriswell,  Eye  *,  Fakenham,  Flempton, 
Framlingham,  Freckenham,  Gisleham  *,  Gorleston  St.  Andrew, 
Grundisburgh,  Hargrave,  Harleston,  Hawkedon,  Hawstead,  Hessett, 
Hitcham  *,  Hunston,  Icklingham ;  Ipswich,  St.  Mary-le-Tower,  St. 
Matthew;  Kedington  (16 19),  Kersey*,  Langham,  Lavenham  (p.), 
Laxfield,  Lidgate,  Mellis,  Mettingham,  Mickfield,  Mildenhall,  Moulton, 
Newbourne,  Nowton,  Pakefield,  Pakenham,  Parham  *,  Playford, 
Poslingford,  Rattlesden,  Ringsfield  *,  Risby,  Rumburgh  (remains), 
Sibton,  Somerleyton  *,  Sotherton  "*  (two  panels),  Sotterley  '"",  South- 
wold  *,  Stanton  ^,  Earl  Stonham,  Stowlangloft ;  Sudbury,  All  Saints 
(p.),  St.  Peter  (p.) ;  Thrandeston,  Thurlow,  Troston,  Ufford  *, 
Walsham-le- Willows,  Walton,  Wattis field,  Great  Wenham,  Westhall  *, 
Wingfield  *,  Withersfield,  Woodbridge  *,  Woolpit  *,  Yaxley  *,  Yoxford. 


Surrey 

This  county  has  comparatively  little  screenwork  left  in  its 
churches.  Surrey  has,  however,  the  distinction  of  owning  the 
oldest  piece  of  screenwork  in  this  country.  It  occurs  in  the 
remarkable  church  of  Compton,  where  there  is  a  low  screen  of 
late  Norman  character,  c.  1180,  consisting  of  a  series  of  small 
octagonal  shafts  with  carved  capitals  supporting  plain  semicircular 
arches.  It  forms  the  front  of  the  upper  chapel  over  the  groined 
eastern  section  of  the  chancel,  and  is  more  of  the  nature  of  a  pro- 
tective balustrade  than  a  screen.  The  screens  of  Beddington, 
Cranleigh,  and  Farnham  appear  to  be  of  late  I4th-cent.  date.  The 
remainder  are  chiefly  of  the  latter  part  of  the  15th  cent.  The 
screens  of  Charlwood  and  Chelsham  are  early  i6th  cent.  ;  the  latter 
of  these  has  remarkable  balustrade-like  shafts  supporting  the  upper 
tracery.  At  Compton  a  handsome  Jacobean  screen  has  been  moved 
to  the  west  end  of  the  church. 

The  Norman  screen  at  Compton  is  illustrated  in  Parker's 
Glossary,   and    that   of    Chelsham   in    Mr.   Johnston's    article    on 


SCREENS    AND    ROOD-LOFTS  139 

Ecclesiastical   Architecture   in  vol.   ii.  of  the   Victoria  History  of 
Sicrrey. 

Alfold,  Beddington  (14th),  Great  Bookham,  Charlwood,  Chelsham, 
Chepstead,  Compton  (two),  Cranleigh  (14th),  Elstead,  Farnham 
(14th),  Gatton,  Godalming,  Hascombe,  Horley,  Home,  Horsell, 
West  Horsley,  Leigh,  Lingfield,  Merstham,  Nutfield,  Reigate,  Send, 
Shere,  Thursley,  Wandborough,  Witley.       / 

Stissex 

The  particular  feature  of  the  screens  of  this  county  is  the 
unusually  large  proportion  of  workmanship  extant  prior  to  the 
15th  cent.  The  tracery  of  the  screen  of  Old  Shoreham  is  of 
Edward  I.'s  time,  and  those  of  Bignor,  Chichester  hospital,  East- 
bourne, Etchingham,  Henfield,  Playden,  Poynings,  Rodmell,  and 
West  Thorney  are  of  different  periods  of  the  14th  cent.  In  quite 
recent  years  the  rood-screens  of  Rustington  and  Worth  disappeared 
during  "  restoration." 

Stone.  — Arundel  (shrine),  Boxgrove,  Chichester  cathedral. 

Wood. — Appledram  (portions),  Ardingley,  Berwick,  Boxgrove  (p.) ; 
Brighton,  St.  Nicholas  f ;  Burton,  Bury,  Chichester  hospital  (14th), 
Climping  (p.),  Eastbourne  (14th),  Etchingham,  Fletching,  Henfield 
(p.,  14th),  Mayfield  (portions),  Ovingdean,  Penhurst,  Playden  (p., 
14th),  Poynings  (p.,  late  14th),  Rodmell  (p.,  14th),  Rotherfield  (p.), 
Rye  (p.).  Old  Shoreham  (Edward  I.,  and  15th),  West  Tarring  (p.), 
Thakeham  (p.),  West  Thorney  (p.,  14th),  Warnham  (17  th),  Westham. 

Warwickshire 

The  church  of  Bickenhill  has  a  curious  stone  screen.  The 
rood-screen  of  Long  Itchington  is  a  fine  and  rare  example  of 
I4th-cent.  wood  carving  ;  whilst  the  next-century  screens  and  lofts 
at  Knowle  and  Wormleighton  are  exceptionally  good.  At  Wootton 
Wawen  the  ancient  screen  has  some  modern  additions  ;  it  is  flanked 
on  each  side  by  parcloses,  which  formerly  enclosed  chantry  altars. 

Stone. — Rickenhill;  Warwick,  St.  Mary  (p.). 

Wood. — Beaudesert  (14th),  Berkswell  (p.) ;  Coventry,  St.  Michael ; 
Flecknoe  (p.,  fragments),  Henley-in-Arden^  Long  Itchington  (14th), 
Knowle  '"'  f,  Lapworth,  Merevale,  Oxhill,  Rowington  (p.),  Shotteswell 
(14th),  Stratford,  Wolverton  (restored),  Wootton  Wawen,  Wormleighton. 


I40        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Wiltshire 
There  are  some  good  examples  of  mediaeval  screen  work  among 
the  comparatively  few  instances  in  this  county.  The  rood-loft 
remains  over  excellent  carving  both  at  Amesbury  and  Edington. 
There  is  also  admirable  workmanship  to  be  noticed  in  the  screens 
of  Compton  Bassett,  Cliffe  Pypard,  and  Mere. 

In  stone  screenwork  Wiltshire  is  rich.  The  late  I5th-cent. 
stone  rood-screen  of  Malmesbury  Abbey  is  1 1  feet  6  inches  high  ; 
it  has  a  central  doorway  now  blocked,  and  the  embattled  cornice 
is  enriched  with  the  royal  arms  and  badges  of  Henry  VI.  The 
finest  of  all  stone  screens  in  parish  churches  is  to  be  found  at 
Compton  Bassett,  near  Calne  (illustrated  in  Weale's  Quarterly 
Papers,  vol.  iii.).  This  is  an  example  of  the  enriched  work  of  the 
latter  half  of  the  15th  cent,  at  its  best.  The  chancel  arch  is 
enclosed  by  an  openwork  screen  of  stone,  and  3  feet  6  inches  in 
front  of  this  is  a  lofty  arcade  of  three  four-centred  arches,  rising 
to  the  height  of  12  feet.  The  arches  are  delicately  cusped,  the 
spandrels  and  cornice  richly  carved,  and  the  piers  adorned  with 
niches,  now  empty.  The  two  planes  are  connected  by  a  panelled 
vault  of  stone  ;  the  rood-loft  which  this  carries  is  a  restoration. 

Heytesbury  has  a  fine  stone  screen  to  the  north  transept,  with 
a  gallery  or  loft  above  supported  by  fan-vaulting.  Of  the  other 
instances  of  parochial  stone  rood-screens,  that  of  Yatton  Keynell 
shows  the  best  workmanship.  Stockton  can  scarcely  be  called  a 
screen,  for  the  chancel  is  divided  from  the  nave  by  a  solid  wall, 
pierced  by  a  low  doorway  and  two  hagioscopes. 

Stone. — Great  Chalfield,  Charlton,  Compton  Bassett  |,  Corsham  (p.), 
Heytesbury  (p.),  Highway,  Hilmarton,  Malmesbury,  Salisbury 
(fragment),  Yatton  Keynell. 

Wood. — Avebury  f.  Great  Bedwyn,  Berwick  Bassett,  Bremhill,  Christian 
Malford  (p.),  Cliffe  Pypard^  Coombe  Bissett  (restored),  Corston, 
Edington  |,  West  Harnham  (p.,  Jacobean),  HuUavington,  Kingston 
Deverill,  Lyneham,  Mere  tj  Oaksey. 

Worcestershire 

has  a  few  good  rood-screens,  notably  at  Blockley,  Little  Malvern, 
Shelsley  Walsh,  and  Upton  Snodsbury.  The  front  of  the  rood-loft 
of  Strensham,  containing  the  painted  figures  of  twenty-four  saints, 
now  forms  the  front  of  a  west  gallery. 


SCREENS    AND    ROOD-LOFTS  141 

The  rood-screen  at  Sedgeberrow  is  of  most  unusual  design  ; 
the  lower  part  is  stone  and  the  upper  part  is  of  lofty  open  tracery  ; 
it  was  renewed  some  years  ago  by  Mr.  Butterfield. 

The  rood-beam  remains  at  Little  Malvern  and  Shelsley  Walsh. 

Alfrick  (base),  Besford  f,  Birts  Morton  (base),  Blockley,  Bredon,  Castle 
Morton,  Harvington,  Leigh  f,  Middle  Littleton  (base).  North  Littleton 
(parts),  Little  Malvern,  Pendock  (parts),  Pershore  (p.),  Ripple  (parts), 
Sedgeberrow  (restored),  Shelsley  Walsh,  Strensham  *,  Upton  Snods- 
bury,  Wickhamford  (base),  Worcester  cathedral  (p.). 

Yorkshire 

was  at  one  time  singularly  rich  in  rood-screens  that  had  sur- 
vived the  iconoclasm  of  the  i6th  and  17th  cents.  ;  their  general 
demolition  dates  from  the  Georgian  era,  when  the  various 
archdeacons  ordered  their  demolition  without  any  warrant  of 
legality.  Dr.  Heneage  Bering,  dean  of  Ripon,  and  archdeacon 
of  the  East  Riding,  personally  inspected  the  Holderness  churches 
between  1720  and  1725,  and  in  all  cases  ordered  "the  partition  or 
screen  betwixt  the  body  of  the  church  and  chancel  to  be  taken 
down,  from  the  balk  or  beam  downwards  as  far  as  the  Cancelli  or 
tops  of  the  pews,  and  the  king's  arms  to  be  sett  up  in  some  more 
convenient  place."  A  few  parishes  were  bold  enough  to  resist.  In 
the  deanery  of  Buckrose,  Winteringham  only  disobeyed.  In  1737, 
Dr.  Osbaldeston,  dean  of  York,  visited  the  churches  of  the  Chapter's 
Peculiar  and  swept  away  eight  chancel  screens.  Dr.  Blake,  arch- 
deacon of  York,  was  equally  unscrupulous,  about  the  same  period, 
in  the  destruction  of  the  screens  within  his  jurisdiction.  The 
marvel  is  that  so  many  yet  remain  up  and  down  this  great 
shire.* 

In  the  East  Riding  there  is  a  I4th-cent.  chancel  screen  at 
Patrington,  and  later  examples  at  Winestead,  Ganton,  Skipwith, 
Swine,  Watton,  and  Fiamborough,  and  there  are  screen  fragments 
at  Burnby,  Hayton,  Sutton,  and  Welwick.  At  Watton,  where  there 
is  no  chancel  arch,  the  late  I5th-cent.  screen  is  carried  up  after  a 
curious  fashion  to  the  ceiling.  The  front  of  the  rood-loft  of  the 
singularly  fine  screen  at  Fiamborough  is  beautiful  even  in  its 
mutilated  condition  ;  it  has  thirteen  (originally  fifteen)  canopied 
niches  ;  there  are  considerable  traces  of  the  former  rich  colouring, 

*  The  Chancel  Screens  of  Yorkshire^  by  C.  B.  Norcliffe.    Yorks.  Archit.  Soc.  1882. 


142        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

vermilion,  blue,  and  gold.  Parclose  screenwork  may  be  noticed 
at  Winteringham,  Hemingborough,  Kirk  Ella,  Swine,  Fiamborough, 
and  Holy  Trinity,  Hull. 

There  are  also  some  interesting  remains  of  screenwork  in  the 
North  Riding,  though  there  are  very  few  instances,  such  as  Crayke 
and  Wenley,  where  the  rood-screen  is  in  situ.  At  Aysgarth  there 
is  a  noble  coved  screen  carrying  the  base  of  the  rood-loft,  which 
was  moved  here  from  Jervaulx  abbey  ;  it  has  been  repainted  and 
regilded.  This  screen  stood  in  its  proper  place  between  nave  and 
chancel,  but  at  a  modern  restoration  its  story  was  falsified  by  being 
moved  to  the  south  side  of  the  chancel.  On  the  north  side  of  the 
chancel  is  a  modern  screen  crowned  by  an  ancient  beam.  The 
beam  is  inscribed,  A.  S.  Abas  anno  Dm.  1536.  The  initials 
stand  for  Adam  Sedburgh,  the  last  abbot  of  Jervaulx,  and  the  date 
is  the  year  when  he  was  done  to  death  for  his  share  in  the  Pilgrim- 
age of  Grace.  At  Thirsk,  Cattarick,  Easby,  and  Grinton  there 
are  some  excellent  old  parclose  screens.  The  south  aisle  of  Hornby 
church  is  separated  from  the  south  chancel  chapel  by  a  screen,  on 
the  inner  side  of  which  are  five  painted  panels.  Stonegrave  affords 
a  good  example  of  a  I7th-cent.  chancel  screen. 

There  is  but  little  old  screenwork  left  in  the  West  Riding. 
At  Silkstone  is  a  late  I4th-cent.  rood-screen,  and  there  is  a  good 
one  of  late  15th  cent,  at  Kildwick.  But  by  far  the  most  interest- 
ing is  the  elaborate  screen  of  the  remote  little  church  of  Hubber- 
holme,  which  still  carries  its  rood-loft.  It  was  erected  in  1558,  just 
at  the  close  of  Mary's  reign. 

The  church  of  Great  Mitton,  on  the  verge  of  Lancashire,  has  a 
noteworthy  chancel  screen  ;  it  bears  an  imperfect  inscription  stating 
that  it  was  erected  in  the  time  of  William  Staynford,  abbot. 
Staynford  was  abbot  of  Cockersand  in  1393.  The  upper  part  has 
been  repaired  after  an  extraordinary  fashion  ;  several  parts  have 
been  reproduced  in  cast  iron.  In  the  same  church  there  is  a  side 
screen  between  the  chancel  and  the  north  chapel. 

•»S/^«(?.— Howden  f,  Methley,  Ripon  f,  York  cathedral  f. 
Wood. — Almondbury  (1522),  Aysgarth,  Barnborough,  Barnby  (14th), 
Bedale  (p.) ;  Beverley,  Minster  (p.),  St.  Mary  ;  Bolton  Abbey,  Burnby 
(fragment),  Compsall  f,  Cattarick  (p.),  Crayke,  Croft  (p.),  Easby  (p.), 
Ecclesfield,  Fishlake,  Fiamborough  f,  Ganton  *,  Grinton  (p.),  Halifax, 
Hatfield t,  Hemingborough   (p.),  Hornby*,  Hubberholme  f  (1558); 


FLAMBOROUGH,  YORKS 


HUBBERHOLME,  YORKS 


cr  -HE 
UNIVERSITY 

OF 


SCREENS   AND    ROOD-LOFTS 


H3 


Hull,  Holy  Trinity  (fragment) ;  Kildwick,  Kirk  Ella  (p.),  Kirk  Sandal 
(p.),  Leake  (parts),  Great  Mitton  (and  p.),  Melton-on-the-Hill,  Pat- 
rington,  Richmond,  Romaldkirk  (parts),  Rotherham,  Selby  (p.), 
Silkstone  (late  14th),  Silton,  Skipton,  Sprotborough,  Stonegrave 
(17th),  Sutton-in-Holderness  (fragment),  Swine,  Thirsk  (p.),  Wake- 
filed  (post-Reformation),  Welwick  (fragment),  Wensley,  Whenby, 
AVinestead. 


STONE   SCREEN,    CHELMORTON,    DERBS. 


CHAPTER    V 
PULPITS  AND   HOUR  GLASSES 

PULPITS  * 

ALTHOUGH  pulpits  were  used  in  the  refectories  of  monas- 
teries from  an  early  date,  they  do  not  seem  to  have  been 
introduced  into  churches  until  the  14th  cent,  and  almost 
all  the  Gothic  pulpits  now  existing  belong  to  the  Perpendicular 
period.  Their  material  is  always  stone  or  wood  ;  not  a  single 
example  of  a  metal  pulpit,  not  unfrequent  on  the  Continent,  is 
found  in  England.  Metal  pulpits  were  not,  however,  unknown  in 
England,  as  is  shown  by  the  following  extract  from  the  Rites  of 
Dii^rham  : — 

"  Adjoyninge  unto  the  lower  parte  of  the  great  wyndow  in  the  weste 
end  of  the  gallerie,  was  a  faire  iron  Pulpitt,  with  barsse  of  iron  for  one  to 
hould  them  by  going  up  the  stepes  unto  the  pulpett,  where  one  of  the 
Mouncks  did  cume  every  holyday  &  Sunday  to  preach,  at  one  of  the 
clock  in  the  afternoone." 

About  a  third  of  those  which  have  survived  are  of  stone,  but 
it  is  probable  that  most  of  the  stone  pulpits  have  been  preserved, 
while  an  enormous  majority  of  the  wooden  ones  have  perished. 

The  stone  pulpits  are  usually  of  some  fine-grained,  easily 
worked,  white  stone,  such  as  clunch  or  Painswick  stone,  and  they 
occur  chiefly  in  districts  where  such  stone  was  easily  procurable, 
as  in  Gloucestershire,  Somerset,  and  Devon.  Some  of  the  best 
examples,  however,  are  elsewhere,  as  at  Nantwich,  Coventry,  and 
Wolverhampton.  They  are  usually  polygonal,  and  attached  to  a 
pier,  and  have  their  faces  adorned  with  tracery.  Some  resemble 
refectory  pulpits,  bracketed    out   from   a   niche   in    a  wall  whose 

*  The  only  work  on  old  English  pulpits  is  that  by  T.  T.  Dollman,  entitled 
Examples  of  Ancient  Pulpits  (1849).     A  second  series  was  projected,  but  never  issued. 

144 


PULPITS 


145 


thickness  contains  the  staircase  by  which  they  are  entered.  Such  are 
the  pulpits  at  Chipping  Sodbury,  Glos.,  and  at  Nailsea  and  Weston- 
in-Gordano,  Somerset.  At  Buckminster,  near  Melton  Mowbray, 
there  is  a  singular  octagonal  tower  of  stone  standing  free  in  front 
of  the  chancel  arch,  which  perhaps  served  among  other  purposes 
as  a  pulpit.  That  at  Nantwich  is  an  ambo  combined  with,  and 
projecting  from,  the  dwarf  screen  of  stone  which  protects  the 
chancel  of  that  church.  The  pulpit  at  Wolverhampton,  the  most 
effective  of  all,  has  a  good  stone  staircase  guarded  by  a  large 
seated  figure  of  a  lion. 

All  pre-Reformation  wooden  pulpits,  except  that  of  Mellor,  are 
much  alike,  and  they  are  distributed 
over  the  whole  country.  Each  con- 
sisted of  an  octagonal  or  hexagonal 
"  tub  "  with  panelled  sides,  supported 
by  a  slender  shaft  with  miniature 
buttresses  and  panelling.  Unfortu- 
nately many  have  been  cut  down  in 
recent  years  and  placed  on  stone 
bases.  They  are  frequently  deco- 
rated with  colour  and  gilding,  and 
some,  especially  in  Norfolk,  have 
panels  with  painted  figures  generally 
representing  the  Evangelists  or  the 
Doctors  of  the  church,  similar  in 
character  to  the  screen  panels.  At 
Castleacre  the  pulpit  has  painted 
panels  of  the  Four  Doctors  ;  but  in 
this  case  it  has  evidently  been  made 
up  from  the  remains  of  the  screen. 

The  I5th-cent.  sexagonal  pulpit  of  the  once  grand  collegiate 
church  of  Fotheringhay  is  of  particular  and  exceptional  interest. 
It  rises  from  a  slender  stem,  and  is  set  against  a  pier  of  the 
north  arcade.  Over  it  is  a  hexagonal  fan-vaulted  canopy,  and  on 
the  panelled  back  are  the  arms  and  supporters  of  Edward  IV. 
Over  this  original  canopy  there  is  a  later  one  of  i/th-cent.  date 
and  arabesque  design.  The  body  of  the  pulpit  has  two  tiers  of 
panels,  the  lower  one  of  linen-fold  design  and  the  upper  one  with 
cinquefoiled  bends  and  carved  spandrels. 

There  are  various  pulpits  of  Elizabethan  or   Jacobean    date  ; 


ST.    PAUL'S,    TRURO 


146        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


they  are  always  of  wood,  but  there  is  a  very  simple  and  elegant 
stone  pulpit  at  Wells  cathedral,  which  is  one  of  the  earliest 
specimens  of  Renaissance  art  in  England.  It  was  erected  to  the 
memory  of  Bishop  Knight,  who  died  in  1537. 

PtUpitum  in  mediaeval  documents  usually  means  the  rood- 
screen,  but  this  is  not  invariably  the  case.  One  of  the  earliest 
instances  wherein  the  word  has  the  ordinary  modern  meaning 
occurs  in  the  Chronicle  of  Jocelyn,  wherein  he  tells  us  that 
Sampson,  the  great  Abbot  of  St.  Edmunds,  who  ruled  from  1 182  to 
121 1,  was  wont  to  preach  to  the  people  in  English,  and  for  this 

reason  caused  a  pulpit  {pulpiHcm)  to  be 
made  in  the  church. 

Occasionally  there  is  evidence  that 
the  rood-loft,  facing  the  nave,  was  used 
as  a  pulpit  or  stage  from  which  to  address 
the  congregation. 

Now  and  again  there  seems  to  have 
been  an  adjunct  to  the  rood-screen  for 
preaching,  the  rood-loft  stairs  being  used 
for  the  purpose  of  reaching  it.  At 
Walpole  St.  Andrew,  Norfolk,  there  is  a 
most  interesting  and  exceptional  feature 
of  this  character  in  the  shape  of  a  large 
stone  i5th-cent.  bracket  immediately 
above  the  lower  doorway  leading  to  the 
rood-loft.  In  this  case  there  can  be  but 
little  doubt  that  the  bracket  supported  a 
small  wooden  pulpit. 

It  should  also  be  remembered  that 
early  pulpits  were  frequently  movable,  and  placed  in  the  nave  or 
elsewhere  when  required.  This  was  the  case  at  Bury  St.  Edmunds, 
where  a  movable  pulpit  was  kept  in  the  chapter-house.  One  of 
this  character  is  still  preserved  at  Hereford  cathedral,  and  there 
was  another  at  Norwich  cathedral  until  recent  years.  There  is  one 
at  the  present  day  at  King's  College  Chapel,  Cambridge.  They 
were  in  common  use  on  the  Continent,  and  are  still  occasionally 
found  in  use. 

John  Wesley  was  no  antiquary,  and  when  visiting  Sheffield 
imagined  that  a  most  ancient  use  was  a  novelt}^  In  his  Journaly 
under  date  August  15,  178 1,  there  is  the  following  entry : — 


WALPOLE  ST.    ANDREW, 
NORFOLK 


PULPITS 


147 


"  I  went  to  Sheffield ;  in  the  afternoon  I  took  a  view  of  the  chapel 
lately  built  by  the  Duke  of  Norfolk  .  .  .  it  is  a  stone  building,  an  octagon, 
about  eighty  feet  in  diameter.  .  .  .  The  pulpit  is  movable ;  it  rolls  upon 
wheels,  and  is  shifted  once  a  quarter,  that  all  the  pews  may  face  it  in  their 
turns ;  I  presume  the  first  contrivance  of  the  kind  in  Europe."  * 

The  oldest  pulpit  now  in  use  in  England  is  that  of  Mellor, 
Derbs.  This  ancient  pulpit,  of  hexagonal  form,  is  cut  out  of  a  solid 
block  of  oak.  It  is  4  feet  8  inches 
high  and  2  feet  8  inches  in 
diameter  at  the  top.  The  panels 
are  ornamented  with  tracery,  the 
style  of  which,  as  shown  in  the 
illustration,  gives  it  a  late  14th- 
cent.  date.  The  central  band  of 
carving  has  the  appearance  of  being 
later  or  altered  work.  This  pulpit, 
long  disused,  has  of  late  been  re- 
stored to  its  proper  place,  but 
unfortunately  it  has  been  badly 
repaired  with  soft  wood,  and  an 
unsightly  and  unsuitable  cornice 
added  at  the  top. 

In  connection  with  this  pulpit 
it  is  not  a  little  remarkable,  con- 
sidering its  age  and  singularity,  ^ 
that  it  is  the  only  known  one  in 
England  with  which  any  particular 
pre-Reformation  incident  is  con- 
nected. Among  Sir  George  O.  Wombwell's  MSS.,  at  Newburgh 
Priory,  are  various  papers  relative  to  prolonged  lawsuits  between 
Robert  Pilkington  and  John  Ainsworth,  in  1496-8,  as  to  the 
ejection  of  some  tenants  on  the  ground  of  wood  trespass. 
Amongst  them  is  a  memorandum  as  to  the  falling  of  a  large 
number  of  valuable  trees  in  Mellor  township  by  "  Sir  Perys  Legh 
Knyght,"  including  "  an  aspe  (aspen)  to  make  arowys  of  won  the 
fayrest  that  tyme  in  all  Derbyschyre."  This  was  done  on  Thursday 
in  Whitsun  week,  1498,  and  "  on  the  Sunday  afore  midsumer  day 

*  In  the  church  of  Ilelmsley,  Yorks.,  a  movable  pulpit  is  now  placed  in  the  nave  for 
Lent  and  other  occasional  sermons,  as  the  regular  pulpit  is  so  far  off  from  most  of  the 
seats-. 


MELLOR,    DER]1S. 


148        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

the  Knight  sent  his  servant  to  Mellur  chapel,  &  causyd  the  prest 
to  say  in  pylpyd  after  the  prayers  .  .  .  that  the  said  Knyght  was 
holle  aggreyed  with  the  partese  for  the  said  trees  that  he  had  fallen 
in  Mellur,"  and  protested  that  he  had  done  no  wrong  to  Robert 
Pilkington.  "Then  the  said  Robert  herd  tell  of  this  sclanndur  & 
saying  in  Mellur  chapel  aforesaid  &  was  sore  asstoynd  &  grevyd 
there  with  &  come  to  the  same  chapell  ye  Sonday  next  after 
saynt  Peter  day  then  next  ensewyng,  &  when  the  prest  had 
bedyn  the  pryers  in  the  pylpyt  the  said  Robert  stole  up  in  the 
chaunsell  &  speke  on  loude  that  all  the  pepull  myght  here  hym 
&  prayed  them  all  to  here  hym  recorde  anothere  tyme  what  his 
saynges  was  at  that  tyme."  Pilkington  then  proceeded  to  set  forth 
at  length  his  version  of  the  tree  felling  ;  but  with  the  strife  itself 
we  have  here  no  concern  {Hist.  MSS,  Com.  Reports ^  1903). 

It  is  but  seldom  that  inscriptions  are  found  on  early  pulpits, 
but  we  are  able  to  cite  two  examples. 

Round  the  upper  part  of  the  beautiful  painted  pulpit  of  South 
Burlingham,  Norfolk,  of  I5th-cent.  date,  is  this  text  in  black  letter 
from  the  Vulgate — Inter  natos  mulierum  non  surrexit  major 
Johanne  Baptista. 

The  pulpit  of  Heighington  church,  Durham,  of  early  i6th-cent. 
date,  is  octagonal  with  linen-fold  panels  having  traceried  heads. 
Round  the  cornice  is  inscribed  in  raised  black  letter,  Orate  p  dibs 
Alexandri  flettchar  et  agnetis  tcxoris  sue.  It  is  the  only  pre- 
Reformation  pulpit  in  the  diocese. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  pre-Reformation  pulpits,  arranged 
under  counties  *  : — 

Beds.— »S/^/2^.  St.  Paul's,  Bedford. 

Wood.  Dean  (panelled),  Flitwick. 
Berks. — Stone.  Childrey. 

Wood.  Hagbourn. 
Bucks. —  Wood.     Bow    Brickhill,    Ellesborough    (fine    i5th-cent.    pulpit 

canopy). 
Cambs. — Stone.  Witcham. 

Wood.  Elsworth,  Fulbourne  (14th  cent.,  "  carved  oak,  curious,  with 
panels  trefoiled  and  crocketed,  and  quaint  sculptured  spandrels "), 
Fen  Ditton,  Haslingfield  {c.  1500),  Harston,  Landbeach  ("  very  fine"). 

*  No  such  list  has  hitherto  been  attempted,  and  we  cannot  expect  that  it  is  perfect 
or  exhaustive.  It  may  be  assumed  that  these  pulpits  are  15th  or  early  i6th  cent.,  unless 
stated  to  the  contrary. 


PULPITS  149 

Chester. — Stone,  Nantwich. 

Cornwall.—  Stone.  Egloshayle  (modernized). 

Wood,  Bodmin,  Camborne  (symbols  of  Passion),  Fowey,  St.  Feock 

Launceston,  Padstow  (painted),  Tamerton. 
Derbs. —  Wood.  Mellor  (out  of  solid  oak),  Breadsall  (old  bench  ends). 
Devon. — Stone.    Chittlehampton,    Dartmouth    (richly    coloured,   wooden 

ornaments,  temp.  Charles   I.),  Dittisham,  Harberton,  South  Molton 

Paignton,  Pilton,  Swimbridge,  Totnes. 

Wood.  East  Allington,  Bigbury,  Bovey  Tracy,  Bridford,  Chivelston 

Cockington,    Cornwood ;    Exeter,    St.    Sidwell ;    Halberton,    Holne 

(heraldic)  Ipplepen,  Kenton,  North  Molton,  Stoke  Nectan^  Thurleston, 

Tor  Bryan. 
Dorset. — Stone.  Frampton  (c.  1450,  figures  in  three  of  the  compartments). 
Wood.  Affpuddle  (1547),  Cranbourne,  Litton  Cheney  (old  panels), 
Stourton  Caundle,  Whitchurch,  Winterbourne. 
Durham. —  Wood.    Heighington   (early    15th   cent.),    Witt-on    (mediseval 

shaft). 
Essex. —  Wood.  Heydon,  Thaxted,  Wendon. 
Glos. — Stone.  Ashton  (14th  cent),  St.  Briavels,  North  Cerney  (14th  cent.) 

Chedsworth,    Chipping    Sodbury,    Cirencester    {c.    1420),    Elkstone, 

Hawkesbury,    North   Leach,    Stanton  (14th),    Staunton    All    Saints, 

Thornbury,  Winchcombe. 

Wood.   Brockworth,  Cold    Aston  (with   canopy),  Gloucester,  St. 

Mary-de-Lode,  Mitcheldean,  Titchcombe  (14th  cent.). 
YLk^-i^.— Stone.  Chale  (I.  of  Wight),  East  Meon,  Shorwell  (I.  of  Wight). 

Wood.   Dummer  (c.  1450,  canopy  1620),  Hambledon,  Winchester 

cathedral  (Prior  Silkstede,  1498-1524). 
Herefords. — Stone.  Staunton. 

Herts. —  Wood.  Knebworth,  King's  Langley,  Wheathampstead. 
Hunts. —  Wood.  Catworth,  Orton,  Waterville  (i6th  Renaissance). 
Kent. —  Wood.    Boughton   Malherb   (linen-fold    panels),   Hollingbourne, 

Sutton-at-Hone  (Hnen-fold  panels). 
Lancs. —  Wood.  Overton,  Sefton. 
Leics. —  Wood.     North    Kilworth,    Leicester,    All    Saints,    Lutterworth, 

Muston,  Tugby. 
Lincs. —  Wood.  Boston,  Claypole,  Cotes-by-Stow,  Partney,  Tattershall. 
Norfolk. —  Wood.    Beeston    (linen-fold),    Bressingham,    Burlingham    St. 

Edmund  (painted),  Burnham  Norton  (the  Four  Doctors,  panel  painted), 

Castleacre    (painted),    Catton    (base    15th    cent.).     South    Creyke, 

Dersingham,   Filby,    Hensham   (1480),   Horsham  (painted),   Irstead 

(linen-fold),  Litcham,  Neatishead  (linen-fold),  Necton;  Norwich,  St. 

Mary  and   Coslany;   Snittesham,   West   Somerton,   Great   Sparham, 

Thurning,  North  Walsham,  Walsingham. 
Northumberland. —  Wood.  Jarrow-on-Tyne  (late  14th  cent.). 


ISO        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

NoRTHANTS. —  Wootf.  Brigstock,  Caldecote,  Fotheringay  (with  canopy), 
Hannington  (14th  cent.),  Irthlingborough^  Kings  Cliff  (panels  from 
Fotheringay)^  Middleton  Cheney,  Newton  Bromswold,  Oundle  (painted, 
late  14th  cent.),  Rushden,  Warmington  (painted,  figures  renewed), 
Woodford. 

Notts. —  Wood.  Strelley,  Wysall  (discarded). 

Oxford. — S^one.  Black  Bourton,  Coombe  (c.  1370);  Oxford,  St.  Peter 
(c.  1400),  Magdalen  College  (extensive). 

IVood.  Bicester  (lower  part  15th  cent.),  Burford,  Handborough 
(c.  1460),  Sandford  (stone  base),  Swinbrook^  Great  Tew,  Widford, 
Wolvercot  (destroyed). 

Somerset. — Sfo/ie.  Banwell,  Barwick,  Bleadon,  St.  Catherine's,  Charle- 
combe,  Cheddar  (richly  coloured),  Chesterblade,  Compton  Bishop, 
Glastonbury,  Hutton,  Kewstoke,  Kingsbury  Episcopi,  Meare,  Nailsea, 
Shepton  Mallet,  Stogumber,  Wells  cathedral,  Wick,  Worle,  Wrington. 
Wood.  Bridgwater,  Castle  Cary,  Crowcombe,  St.  Decumans, 
Locking,  Long  Sutton,  Meare,  Middlezoy,  North  Petherton,  Queens 
Camel,  Selworthy,  Stoke  St.  Gregory,  Treborough,  Trull. 

Staffs. — Sto?ie.  St.  Peter's,  Wolverhampton. 

Suffolk. —  Wood.  Aldborough,  Cockfield  (base  15th  cent.,  rest  Jacobean), 
Gazeley,  Hawstead,  Southwold  (painted),  Stoke-by-Clare,  Sudbury, 
All  Saints  (Richard  II.),  Theberton  (late  15th  cent.),  Tuddenham. 

Surrey. —  Wood.  Beddington,  Charlwood,  Crowhurst  (all  linen-fold 
pattern,  and  possibly  Elizabethan),  Cranley  (made  from  portions  of 
old  screen),  Nutfield  (late  Tudor). 

Sussex. — Stone.  Arundel  (with  canopy),  Clympsey,  Rye  (linen  panels). 

Warwicks. — Sfofie.  Coventry,  Holy  Trinity  {c.  1470) ;  Rowington. 

Wood.  Aston  Cantlow,  Coventry,  St.  Michael,  Henley-in-Arden, 
Southam,  Wootton  Wawen. 

Wilts. — Stone.  Berwick  St.  John,  Limpley  Stoke. 
Wood.  Kingston,  West  Potterne. 

Worcs. — Stone.  Worcester  cathedral. 

Wood.  Badsey  (1529),  Grafton  Fly  ford,  Mid-Littleton,  South 
Littleton  (old  i5th-cent.  pieces),  Lulsley,  Overbury,  Wickhamford 
(15th  cent.,  in  later  casing). 

YoRKS. — Stone.  Beverley. 

Wood.  Great  Mitton. 

There  are  only  two  known  pulpits  of  Edward  VI. 's  reign, 
namely,  Affpuddle,  Dorset,  1547,  and  Chedzoy,  Somerset,  1551. 

The  number  of  Elizabethan  pulpits  is  not  large,  and  the 
majority  of  them  are  undated.  Among  good  specimens  may  be 
mentioned  those  at  Welcombe,  North  Devon,  and  the  one  at 
Sutcombe  in  the  same  district,  unfortunately  discarded  ;  also  those 


PULPITS  151 

at  Kidlington  and  Bucknell,  Oxon.  Some  of  the  Elizabethan 
pulpits  are  dated,  as  Bungay,  Suffolk,  1558  ;  Knebworth,  Herts, 
1567;  Lenham,  Kent,  1574;  Worth,  Sussex,  1577;  Rotherthorpe, 
Northants,  1579. 

At  Fordington,  Dorset,  the  stone  pulpit  is  dated  1592.  At 
Hutton  Rudley,  N.  R.  Yorks.,  there  is  a  handsome  pulpit  of 
English  marquetry  bearing  the  name  and  date  T.  Milner  1594. 

It  is  small  wonder  that  so  few  pulpits  were  provided  in 
Elizabeth's  long  reign  of  nearly  half  a  century.  The  reason  is  that 
there  was  so  little  use  for  them  ;  there  was  probably  no  reign,  from 
the  Conquest  to  the  present  day,  when  there  was  such  a  minimum 
of  preaching  as  in  that  of  Elizabeth.  The  queen's  injunctions  of 
1559  imply  that  a  licensed  preacher  ought  to  preach  in  every  parish 
church  four  times  a  year  ;  otherwise  a  homily  was  to  be  read  on 
Sundays.  The  Universities  and  the  Bishops  had  power  of  licensing 
preachers,  but  they  used  it  very  sparingly,  being  alarmed  lest  the 
preaching  should  have  either  a  Puritanical  or  a  Romeward  tendency. 
Lord  Keeper  Bacon,  in  1578,  wrote  in  terms  of  the  greatest 
severity  to  Bishop  Scambler  of  Peterborough :  "  Beholde  in  every 
Dioces  the  want  of  preachers,  nay  the  greate  discouragement  that 
preachers  find  at  yor  hands  .  .  .  the  chiefe  places  want  preachers 
&  the  ministers  for  the  most  parte  be  numete."  *  A  full  clergy 
list  for  the  diocese  of  Lichfield,  drawn  up  in  the  last  year  of 
Elizabeth,  is  among  the  Lichfield  capitular  muniments.  The  total 
of  benefices  was  461,  and  the  total  of  the  clergy  433.  Out  of  the 
clergy  total,  less  than  a  fifth,  viz.  42,  were  licensed  to  preach. 

It  must  not,  however,  be  forgotten  that  Elizabeth's  praise  is 
loudly  proclaimed  on  the  well-carved  pulpit  of  Odstock,  Wilts.  ;  it 
is  dated  1580,  and  inscribed — 

"  God  bless  and  save  our  royal  queen, 
The  like  on  earth  was  never  seen." 

With  the  accession  of  James  I.  came  a  great  change. 

There  are  the  remains  of  a  singularly  interesting  Jacobean 
pulpit,  unhappily  discarded,  in  the  church  of  Hartland,  North 
Devon.  The  five  panels  bear  the  respective  words,  God  save  Kinge 
James  Fines.  The  meaning  of  the  last  word  has  been  much 
discussed,  but  has  hitherto  escaped  any  satisfactory  solution.    That 

♦  The  whole  of  this  long  and  stirring  letter  is  set  forth  in  Serjeantson's  All  Saints^ 
Northampton,  111-113. 


152        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


fines  is  a  misreading  for  finis,  implying  either  the  end  of  the 
inscription  or  of  King  James,  is  the  usual  one  given  in  guide 
books  ;  but  it  is  too  trivial  to  be  worth  contradicting.  "  Fines," 
spelt  in  various  ways,  is  a  surname  not  unknown  in  Devonshire  ; 
possibly  it  may  have  been  the  name  of  some  church  official  or  other 
donor,  or  even  of  the  wood-carver.  Probably  the  date  of  the 
Hartland  pulpit  is  1603,  when  the  canon  was  issued  ordering  a 
pulpit  to  be  placed  in  every  church  where  one  was  lacking.  After 
that  year  pulpits,  dated  and  undated,  the  latter  much  predomi- 
nating, quickly  multiplied. 

An  undated  Jacobean  pulpit  of  good  arabesque  work  at 
Huntington,  N.  R.  Yorks.,  has  this  striking  text  round  the  base — 
Where  there  is  no  vision  the  people  perish  (Prov.  xxix.  18). 

Among  the  earlier  dated  pulpits  of  the  17th  cent,  the  following 
may  be  named  : — 


1 60 1.  Fowey,  Cornwall. 

1604.  Sopley,  Hants. 

1608.  Kingstone,  Sussex. 

1 6 1 1 .  Cley,  Norfolk. 

„  Stadhampton,  Oxon. 

„  Hillfarrance,  Somerset. 

„  Weston-on-Trent,  Derbs. 

,,  Wednesbury,  Staffs. 

1612.  Patrington^  Yorks. 

„  Chipping,  Glos.  {Architectural 
Sketch-book,  vol.  x.,  3rd 
series). 

„  Kirby  Lonsdale,  Westmore- 
land. 

„  Shawbury,  Salop. 

1 6 14.  Dent,  Yorks. 

16 1 5.  Somerton,  Somerset. 

1616.  Byfleet,  Surrey. 

„  Charlton-on-Otmoor,  Oxon. 

„  Stonham  Aspall,  Suffolk. 

„  Salford  Priors,  Warwicks. 


16 18.  Geddington,  Northants. 
„      Kittisford,  Somerset. 

,,      West  Pennard,  Somerset. 
„      Pilton,  Somerset. 

1 619.  Lancaster,  St.  Mary. 

„      Great  Ashfield,  Suffolk. 

1620.  Lewes,  St.  Anne,  Sussex. 
„      Hunsdon,  Herts. 

162 1.  East  Dean,  Sussex. 

1623.  Burgh,  Lines. 

1624.  Bristol  cathedral  (stone,  hand- 

some). 
„      Rodburgh,  Glos. 

1625.  Breaston,  Derbs. 

„  Edington,  Wilts,  (most  effec- 
tive \  Architectural  Sketch- 
hook,  vol.  ii.,  3rd  series). 

„      Huish  Episcopi,  Somerset. 

„      Alford,  Somerset. 

1626.  Alne,  N.  R.  Yorks. 


A  considerable  number  of  undated  Jacobean  pulpits,  mostly 
early  in  the  reign,  are  scattered  throughout  nearly  each  county. 
They  are  numerous  in  Nottinghamshire,  where  the  examples  at 
Syerston  and  Barton -in- Fabis   are  good   and  undoubtedly  early. 


PtJLPITS  153 

Those  of  Granby  and  Owthorpe,  in  the  same  county,  may  also  be 
mentioned. 

The  Laudian  revival  of  comeliness  of  worship  brought  about 
the  introduction  of  a  variety  of  well-carved  handsome  pulpits. 
There  is  a  stone  pulpit,  dated  1634,  at  Brough,  Westmoreland.  Two 
particularly  good  wooden  examples,  evidently  the  work  of  the 
same  craftsman,  are  to  be  found  at  the  adjacent  churches  of 
Odiham  and  Winchfield  ;  the  latter  of  these  bears  the  date  1634. 
There  is  also  a  further  good  Hampshire  pulpit,  of  the  same  date, 
with  a  sounding-board  and  back-piece,  at  the  church  of  Sherborne 
St.  John.  Another  good  instance,  drawn  in  the  Sketch-book  of 
the  Architectural  Association  (vol.  v.,  3rd  series),  is  at  the  church  of 
All  Saints,  York. 

Some  of  the  Carolean  pulpits  are  of  admirable  but  simple 
design  and  execution.  There  are  two  beautiful  pulpits,  closely 
resembling  each  other  and  bearing  the  same  date,  1637,  in  the 
Suffolk  churches  of  Chediston  and  Rumburgh,  both  in  the  Hundred 
of  Blythburgh.  The  former  of  these  was  actually  ejected  from 
a  neighbouring  church  by  ignorant  authorities  during  a  recent 
"restoration,"  as  "inharmonious  with  its  surroundings."  Fortu- 
nately the  rural  dean  recognized  its  comeliness  and  intrinsic  value 
(which  is  very  considerable),  rescued  it  out  of  a  loft,  and  eventually 
placed  it  in  Chediston  church. 

Among  other  dated  pulpits  of  Charles  I.'s  reign,  all  of  merit, 
may  be  mentioned  Babcary,  Somerset,  1632  ;  Sutton  Mandeville, 
Wilts.,  163 1  ;  Astley  Abbots,  Salop.,  and  Boscombe,  Wilts.,  1633  ; 
Cliffe-at-Hoo,  Kent,  Halsham,  Yorks.,  Clovelly,  Devon,  and  Sedge- 
brook,  Lanes.,  1634  ;  Sevenoaks,  Kent,  1635  ;  Liskeard,  Cornwall, 
Necton,  Norfolk,  Sawley,  Derbs.,  and  Maismore,  Glos.,  1636  ;  and 
Crayke,  N.  R.  Yorks.,  1637. 

The  rebuilt  church  of  Wangford,  Suffolk,  contains,  in  its  present 
pulpit  and  reading-desk,  some  remarkably  fine  examples  of  foreign 
inlaid  woodwork  of  the  17th  cent.  These  two  pieces  of  church 
furniture  are  formed  out  of  the  pulpit  which  used  to  stand  in  the 
private  chapel  of  old  Henham  Hall,  which  was  burnt  down  in  1773. 

The  following  pulpits  of  the  17th  cent,  bear  inscriptions : — 

Fincham,  Norfolk.  Sounding-board  of  old  pulpit,  now  a  vestry 
table,  bears — Gregory e  Watson  servant  to  the  Right  Worshipful 
Sir  Francis  Gawdy,  Knight,  made  this  at  his  own  charge  Anno 
Dni,  1604. 


( 
154        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

On  the  margin  of  the  sounding-board  of  the  pulpit  of  Lyme 
Regis,  Dorset,  is — To  God's  Glory ,  Richard  Harvey  of  London 
mercer  and  merchant-adventurer  built  this  anno  1613.  Faith  is  by 
hearing. 

At  Brean,  Somerset — George  Gudrid gave  this  1620. 

The  pulpit  of  All  Saints,  Hereford,  bears  the  date  1621,  and  is 
a  rich  example  of  the  period.  Round  the  edge  of  the  sounding- 
board  is  inscribed — Howe  beautyful  are  the  feete  of  them  that  bring 
glad  tidings  of  peace.  The  Churchwarden  Accounts  show  that  this 
pulpit  cost  the  parish  £y, 

Baxter's  pulpit  at  Kidderminster,  formerly  in  the  parish  church, 
but  now  in  the  Unitarian  chapel,  has  on  the  panels — Alice  Dawkt 
widow  gave  this  ;  on  the  front  of  the  preacher's  desk — Praise  the 
Lord ;  round  the  sounding-board — O  give  thanks  unto  the  Lord 
and  call  upon  His  name  declare  His  worship  among  the  people  ;  and 
at  the  back  of  the  pulpit — Anno  1621. 

North  Elmham,  Norfolk.  Pulpit,  dated  1626,  inscribed —  Verbum 
Dei  ma7tet  in  ceternum. 

The  pulpit  of  St.  Teath,  Cornwall,  bears  the  arms  of  Carminowe, 
the  date  1630.  The  inscribed  motto  of  that  family  is  of  special 
interest,  as  it  is  the  only  remnant  left  in  the  churches  of  that  county 
of  its  ancient  tongue  ;  the  words  are,  Gala  Rag  withlow,  "  A  straw 
for  a  tale-bearer." 

On  the  panels  of  the  pulpit  of  Broadwas,  Worcs. —  William 
Noxon  &  Roger  Prince  C.  W.  1632,  and  round  the  sounding- 
board  the  same  text  as  at  Suckley. 

The  pulpit  at  Caerwent,  Mons.,  bears  the  date  1632  ;  a  rough 
representation  on  its  centre  panel  of  Llandaff  cathedral ;  the  arms 
of  Sir  Charles  Williams,  of  Llangibby  ;  and  the  inscription —  Woe 
is  unto  me  if  I  preach  not  the  Gospel. 

On  the  pulpit  of  St.  Helen's,  Sefton,  Lanes.,  is  the  following  : — 
He  that  covereth  his  sins  shall  not  prosper y  but  whoso  confesseth  & 
forsaketh  them  shall  have  mercie ;  happy  is  the  man.  Anno  Domini^ 
1633.     Round  the  sounding-board  is  this  couplet — 

My  Sonne  feare  thou  the  Lord  ^  the  King, 

And  medle  not  with  them  that  are  given  to  change. 

The  pulpit  and  canopy  of  MaghuU  church.  Lanes.,  are  good 
examples  of  Stuart  work.  The  pulpit  bears  the  date  1635,  and 
the   inscription — He  that  covereth  his  sinne  shall  not  prosper.     But 


PULPITS  155 

whoso  confesseth  and  forsaketh  them  shall  have  merciey  happy  is 
the  man. 

The  pulpit  of  Newport,  I.  of  Wight,  is  of  the  year  1636.  It  is 
quite  a  work  of  art,  and  splendidly  carved  throughout.  Round  the 
canopied  sounding-board,  in  open-work  capitals,  is  the  inscription — 
Cry  aloud  and  spare  not,  lift  up  thy  voice  like  a  trumpet.  On  the 
support  of  the  canopy  or  pulpit-back  is  a  goat,  the  rebus  of  one 
Thomas  Caper,  the  sculptor. 

The  beautiful  Carolean  pulpit  of  Crayke,  N.  R.  Yorks.,  bears 
the  date  1637,  and  on  the  sounding-board — Shew  me  Thy  ways 
O  Lord  and  teach  me  Thy  paths. 

The  pulpit  of  Hope,  Derbs.,  is  inscribed — Thos.  Booking,  Teacher. 
The  Churchwardens  this  year  Michael  Woodhead,  Jarvis  Hallam, 
John  Haye,  1652. 

Above  the  late  Elizabethan  pulpit  of  Silchester,  Hants,  is  a 
curious  dome-shaped  canopy  of  enriched  carving  ;  round  the  rim 
runs  the  inscription  in  capitals — The  Guifte  of  James  Hore,  Gent,, 

1659. 

Carlton  Husthwaite,  N.  R.  Yorks. — Feed  my  Lambes,  1678. 

The  following  old  pulpit  inscriptions  are  undated  : — 

Surmounting  the  pulpit  of  Aldborough  church,  Yorks.,  is  a 
cornice  bearing  the  words — Pasce  oves,  pasce  agnos. 

On  the  sounding-board  of  Utterby,  Lines. — Quoties  conscendo 
animo  contimesco. 

Hingham,  Norfolk — Necessity  is  laid  upon,  yea  woe  is  me  if  I 
preach  not  the  Gospel. 

The  pulpit  of  Swarby,  Lines.,  has  the  following  couplet  :— 

O  God  my  Saviour  be  my  sped 

To  preach  thy  word  melt's  soulls  to  fed. 

At  Suckley,  Worcs.,  the  sounding-board  of  the  pulpit  bears — • 
Blessed  are  they  that  hear  the  worde  of  God  and  keepe  it, 

Prestbury,  Chester,  early  Jocobean  —  Attendite  Dominus 
alloq'ifr. 

Timsbury,  Hants,  early  Jacobean —  Woe  is  unto  me  if  I  preach 
not  ye  gospel. 

At  Deptford,  Kent,  is  a  remarkable  pulpit  dated  1697,  with  a 
child  bracket ;  it  is  illustrated  in  the  Sketch-book  of  the  Architectural 
Association  (vol.  iii.,  3rd  series). 

A  fair  number  of  well-carved  Queen  Anne  and  early  Georgian 


156        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

pulpits  are  to  be  met  with  in  different  parts  of  the  country.  It 
must  here  suffice  to  name  two  good  instances,  namely,  Great 
Torrington,  North  Devon,  and  Wolverton,  Hants  ;  in  the  latter 
case,  dating  17 17,  there  is  also  a  good  reredos  and  reading-desk  of 
the  same  period. 

Mahogany — it  is  difficult  to  explain  the  objection — seems  par- 
ticularly unsuitable  for  church  use.  The  wood  came  into  use  for 
English  furniture  early  in  the  i8th  cent,  but  was  a  long  time  in 
making  its  way.  There  are  a  very  few  mahogany  pulpits  in 
English  churches.  Among  them  may  be  mentioned  the  one  at 
Kinoulton,  Notts. — a  church  rebuilt  in  brick  on  a  mean  scale  by  the 
Earl  of  Gainsborough  in  1793 — another  at  Hayfield,  Derbs.,  where 
the  church  was  rebuilt  and  refitted  in  18 18,  and  a  third  at  St. 
Margaret's,  Lynn. 

At  Blidworth,  Notts.,  is  a  handsome  early  i8th-cent.  pulpit  of 
Italian  plaster — a  work  of  art  of  its  kind  and  of  distinct  value.  It 
was  foolishly  discarded  during  recent  years  from  Southwell  Minster, 
when  it  was  fortunately  secured  by  the  Rev.  R.  H.  Whitworth,  the 
vicar  of  Blidworth. 

There  is  a  Nottinghamshire  story  of  the  present  fairly  roomy 
pulpit  of  Kirklington  church — a  village  between  Blidworth  and 
Southwell — believed  in  the  village  and  neighbourhood,  which  tells 
of  the  strangest  use,  we  should  imagine,  to  which  a  pulpit  had  ever 
been  assigned.  In  the  pulpit  sides  are  some  holes  filled  up  with 
more  recent  wood.  The  explanation  is  that  a  sporting  rector  of 
the  beginning  of  the  19th  cent,  used  to  have  this  pulpit,  which  was 
loose  from  its  base,  carried  down  on  week  days  to  a  swamp  in  the 
parish  frequented  by  wild  duck,  where  it  served  as  a  screen  for  the 
parson  when  firing  at  the  birds  through  the  holes  made  for  that 
purpose. 

HOUR   GLASSES  AND   HOUR   GLASS   STANDS 

It  is  usual  to  state  that  hour  glass  stands  as  associated  with 
pulpits  did  not  exist  until  after  the  Reformation  ;  but  this  is  not 
quite  correct.  In  Allen's  History  of  Lambeth  it  is  stated  that  a  new 
pulpit  was  placed  in  the  parish  church  in  1522,  and  in  it  was  fixed 
an  hour  glass.  In  the  churchwardens'  accounts  of  this  parish 
there  are  two  entries  of  later  date  respecting  this  hour  glass. 
In    1579,    \s.   4d.  was   paid   for   "the   frame   in   which   the  hour 


HOUR   GLASSES   AND    STANDS 


157 


standeth,"  and  in  1616,  6s.  6d.  was  "payed  for  the  hour  glass." 
Elizabethan  churchwarden  accounts,  as  well  as  those  of  the  17th 
cent.,  abound  in  references  to  the  hour  glass,  which  was  evidently 
at  that  time  the  usual  adjunct  of  the  pulpit  both  in  town  and 
country.  A  single  instance  must  suffice.  At  St.  Catherine's, 
Aldgate,  under  1564,  this  entry  occurs — "Paid  for  an  hour  glass 
that  hangeth  by  the  pulpit,  where  the  preacher  doth  make  a  sermon, 
that  he  may  know  how  the  hour  passeth  away,  one  shilling." 

The  instance  of  Pilton,  North  Devon,  is  supposed  to  establish 


HOUR   GLASS  AND  STAND,    BLOX- 
WORTH,    DORSET 


PILTON,    N.   DEVON 


the  fact  of  the  pre-Reformation  use  of  the  hour  glass,  for  a  man's 
arm  cut  out  of  sheet  iron  and  gilded  is  attached  to  this  late  15th- 
cent.  pulpit,  for  the  purpose  of  holding  the  glass  ;  but  this  arrange- 
ment can  scarcely  be  held  to  be  coeval  with  the  workmanship  of 
the  pulpit.     There  used  to  be  a  similar  arm   on   the   pulpit   of 


158        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Tawstock,  North  Devon.  There  is  a  dated  example  at  Leigh, 
Kent,  which  is  figured  in  Parker's  Glossary.  The  year  is  15  7  ; 
unfortunately  the  third  numeral  is  missing.  Most  of  the  other 
examples  have  no  special  characteristics  to  fix  the  date  of  their 
stands,  but  they  are  all  probably  post-Reformation.  There  is  a 
good  dated  example  at  Cliffe,  Kent,  1636.  In  this  case  the  stand 
is  on  a  wooden  bracket  against  the  wall  by  the  side  of  the  pulpit. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  stands  that  now  survive,  some  of 
which  are  of  good  design,  whilst  others  are  purely  utilitarian.  In 
six  or  seven  cases  the  glass  itself  is  extant. 


St.    Albans,     St.    Michael's,   Herts 

(elaborate  brass  work). 
Amberley,  Sussex. 
Ashby  Folville,  Leics. 
Barnardiston,  Suffolk. 
Beckley,  Oxon. 
Belton,  Lines. 
Billingford,  Norfolk. 
Binfield,  Berks  (arms  of  Smiths  and 

Farriers     companies,     and    date 

1628). 
Bishampton,  Worcs. 
Bletchingley,  Surrey. 
Bloxworth,  Dorset  (glass). 
Boarhunt,  Hants. 
Bradestone,  Norfolk. 
Bristol,  St.  John  Baptist  (glass). 
Burlingham  St.  Edmund,  Norfolk. 
Catfield,  Norfolk. 
Chelvey,  Somerset. 
Chesham  Bois,  Bucks. 
Cliflfe,  Kent  (1636). 
Cowden^  Kent. 
Compton  Bassett,  Wilts. 
Edingthorpe^  Norfolk. 
Edlesborough,  Bucks. 
Great  Doddington,  Northants. 
Hameringham,  Lines. 
Hammoon,  Dorset  (glass). 
Hemsted,  Kent. 
Henley,  Oxon. 
Houghton,  Sussex. 


Hurst,  Bucks.  (1636  :  on  the  stem 
of  the  bracket,  "As  this  glass 
runneth  so  man's  life  passe th  "). 

Ingatestone,  Essex  (late  17th 
cent.). 

Inglesham,  Bucks. 

Kedington,  Suffolk. 

Keyingham,  E.  R.  Yorks. 

Leigh,  Kent. 

Lessingham,  Norfolk. 

Ledham,  Norfolk. 

Lezant,  Cornwall. 

Loddington,  Northants. 

London,  St.  Albans^  Wood  Street 
(glass). 

Nassington,  Northants. 

Norwich,  St.  Mary  Coslaney  (glass). 

South  Ockendon,  Essex. 

Little  Oakley,  Northants. 

Oddingley,  Worcs. 

Odell,  Beds. 

Offenham,  Worcs. 

Pilton,  Devon  (glass). 

Polebrook,  Northants. 

Puxton,  Somerset. 

Sacombe,  Herts,  (in  vestry). 

Salhouse,  Norfolk. 

Scalby,  N.  R.  Yorks. 

Selworthy,  Somerset. 

Shelsley-Beauchamp,  Worcs. 

Shorwell,  I.  of  Wight. 

Stalham,  Norfolk. 


HOUR   GLASSES   AND    STANDS 


159 


Stoke  d'Abernon,  Surrey. 

Stoke-sub-Hamden,  Somerset. 

Strixton,  Northants. 

Sutton,  Norfolk. 

Walpole  St.  Andrew,  Norfolk. 

Weston  Favell,  Northants  (illustrated 


in     Sketch-book    of   Architectural 

Association^  vol.  iv.). 
Wiggenhall,  Herts. 
Wolvercote,  Oxon. 
Yarmouth,  I.  of  Wight. 
Yaxley,  Suffolk. 


At  Wyverstone,  Suffolk,  the  hour  glass  remains  in  its  wooden 
stand,  but  there  is  no  bracket  for  it  in  the  pulpit. 

When  the  Chapel  Royal,  Savoy,  was  restored  in  1867,  a" 
eighteen-minute  pulpit-glass  was  placed  in  the  building ;  it  was 
considered  to  be  a  protest  on  the  part  of  Queen  Victoria  against 
long  sermons. 


\ 


CHAPTER  VI 
FONTS— FONT   COVERS— HOLY  WATER  STOUPS 

FONTS 

A  VALUABLE  work  by  Mr.  Clement  F.  Rodgers  was 
published  at  the  Clarendon  Press  in  1903,  on  Baptism 
and  Christian  Archmology.  The  result  of  an  exhaustive 
and  scholarly  investigation  into  the  question  of  the  original  method 
of  administering  this  sacrament  in  the  early  centuries  of  the 
Christian  era  was  a  great  surprise  to  the  writer  himself,  as  well  as 
to  many  other  students. 

The  conclusion  to  which  Mr.  Rodgers  came,  after  a  thorough 
examination  of  all  the  known  pictorial  and  written  records  on  the 
subject,  was — to  put  it  in  the  briefest  possible  form — that  Baptism 
by  affusion  and  not  by  submersion  was  the  almost  universal 
practice  of  Primitive  times.  In  fact,  no  other  method  but  affusion 
seems  to  have  been  adopted  until  the  general  introduction  of 
infant  Baptism  made  submersion  possible.  Such  a  statement,  we 
are  well  aware,  is  in  direct  contradiction  to  those  that  are  generally 
made  by  the  greater  number  of  archaeologists,  but  there  can  be  no 
doubt  whatever  that  they  have  been  misled  in  judgment  through 
lack  of  proper  research  until  this  remarkable  book  of  Mr.  Rodgers' s, 
whose  arguments  cannot  be  gainsaid,  was  published. 

Mr.  Rodgers  has  compiled  a  useful  table  of  early  fonts  of  the 
3rd  to  the  8th  cents.,  giving  the  shape,  diameter,  and  depth  of 
those  which  are  still  extant  in  Italy,  Egypt,  Africa,  Assyria,  and 
the  East.  The  actual  illustrations  of  the  use  of  baptismal  fonts,  as 
opposed  to  a  large  baptistry,  fountain,  or  bath,  are  very  numerous. 

The  early  fonts  may  be  divided  into  two  types.  In  the  East 
they  are  generally  small  square  or  circular  basons,  but  occasionally 
elongated  on  four  sides,  and  so  make  the  shape  of  a  Greek  cross. 
In  the  West  they  are  for  the  most   part   octagonal  or   circular, 

160 


FONTS  i6i 

forming  a  wide  shallow  bason.  Their  normal  depth  is  under  3 
feet,  so  that  the  average  depth  of  water  would  have  been  about 
2  feet  ;  in  some  cases  the  utmost  capacity  of  the  bason  was  only 
15  inches.  Mr.  Rodgers  considers  that  the  various  types  were 
developed  from  the  small  baths  of  domestic  use,  in  which  baptism 
was  administered  in  pre-Constantinian  times. 

In  England  the  use  of  a  baptistry  separate  from  the  church 
never  prevailed.  In  Cornwall  there  are  a  few  interesting  instances 
still  extant  of  Holy  Springs,  possibly  used  as  baptistries,  and  pro- 
tected by  chapels ;  and  the  same  are  to  be  found  in  Monmouth- 
shire as  well  as  in  Wales.  But  the  almost  invariable  rule  in  these 
islands  seems  to  have  been  to  place  a  font  in  the  body  of  the 
church  ;  at  all  events  this  custom  was  universal  amongst  us  in 
post-Conquest  days.  It  is,  perhaps,  well  to  here  caution  the 
careless  against  believing  that  the  so-called  Baptistry,  an  octagonal 
building  on  the  north  side  of  Canterbury  cathedral,  was  ever 
designed  for  any  such  purpose. 

It  is  also  a  misnomer  to  speak  of  the  beautiful  i4th-cent.  stone 
erection  over  the  font  at  Luton,  Beds.,  as  a  baptistry.  That 
graceful  edifice  is  merely  an  unusual  form  of  font-cover,  or  screen 
encircling  the  font,  leaving  just  sufficient  space  for  the  celebrant 
to  administer  the  rite.  It  may  be  compared  with  the  richly 
ornamented  I5th-cent.  structure  of  timber  which  surmounts  the 
font  at  Trunch,  Norfolk  ;  the  canopy  in  this  case  is  supported  on 
six  shafts  that  stand  at  a  little  distance  from  the  font  itself. 

The  font  itself  was  as  a  rule  of  stone,  and  it  was  usually  lined 
with  lead,  save  in  some  of  those  instances  where  an  impervious 
stone,  such  as  granite  or  Purbeck  marble,  was  used. 

Wooden  fonts  were  occasionally  in  use  in  early  days,  but  they 
were  always  considered  irregular,  and  in  later  times  uncanonical. 
When  the  visitors  of  the  peculiar  jurisdiction  of  St.  Paul's  cathedral 
made  a  tour  of  their  Essex  churches  in  1297,  they  inquired  as  to 
the  material  of  the  font ;  in  a  single  case,  namely,  that  of  West 
Lee,  they  found  that  the  font  was  one  of  wood.  There  is  a  wooden 
font  at  Efenechtyd  in  Denbigh,  hewn  out  of  a  solid  block,  now  in 
use,  and  it  is  said  that  the  fonts  of  Marks  Tey,  Essex,  and 
Chobham,  Surrey,  are  also  of  wood.  Three  or  four  wooden  fonts 
which  were  extant  about  the  middle  of  last  century,  have  since 
then  appropriately  disappeared. 

A  very  old  lead-lined  oak  font  was  still  in  use  in  the  church  of 

M 


i62        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Downton,  Herefords.,  through  the  greater  part  of  last  century.  It 
has  now  disappeared,  and  is  said  to  have  been  sold  to  a  collector  of 
old  oak  by  a  recent  incumbent ! 

A  wooden  font,  which  used  to  be  in  the  church  of  St.  Peter- 
in-the-East,  Oxford,  is  now  in  the  private  chapel  of  Lord  Zouch, 
at  Parker  House,  Sussex.  The  sculptor  of  the  elaborate  and 
beautiful  carving  is  supposed  to  be  Grinling  Gibbons,  as  he 
executed  one  like  it  in  stone  for  the  church  of  St.  James,  Piccadilly. 
The  fine  Decorated  font  at  Noseley,  Leics.,  has  its  shaft  enclosed 
in  an  open-work  wooden  base,  apparently  coeval  with  the  font 
itself. 

A  curious  custom  prevailed  in  England  in  post- Reformation 
days,  chiefly  at  the  beginning  of  the  Jacobean  period,  of  enclosing 
the  font  in  ornamented  or  plainly  panelled  woodwork.  Occasionally 
this  was  done  in  combination  with  a  font  cover,  of  which  method  a 
splendid  example  survives  in  the  church  of  Swimbridge,  North 
Devon,  where  there  is  not  only  a  grand  font  cover  rising  from  the 
wooden  font  case,  but  the  whole  is  surmounted  by  an  elaborate  and 
tasteful  canopy  springing  from  one  of  the  pillars.  Until  recently 
there  was  a  i6th-cent.  example  of  wooden  casing  at  Radbourne, 
Derbs.  For  the  most  part  these  mere  wooden  casements  were, 
appropriately  enough,  removed  when  church  restoration  became 
general  during  the  19th  cent.,  and  frequently  handsome  fonts  came 
to  light  beneath  the  panelling.  In  some  districts  this  odd  custom 
prevailed  to  a  great  extent.  Thus  in  Kent,  Sir  Stephen  Glynne's 
notes,  taken  between  1830  and  i860,  mention  the  following  as 
those  cased  in  wood  :  Canterbury  St.  Margaret,  Chilham,  Elham, 
Lenham,  Minster  -  in  -  Thanet,  Monkton,  Newington  -  by  -  Hythe, 
Swanscombe,  and  Westwell.  At  Selworthy  church.  West  Somerset, 
the  round  Norman  font  is  still  encased  in  octagonal  linen-fold 
panels ;  there  are  also  wooden  casings  to  the  Essex  fonts  of 
Stebbing  and  Thaxted.  At  Beetham,  Westmoreland,  the  font  is 
in  a  case  of  carved  oak,  dated  1636. 

The  use  of  metal  for  fonts  was  not  prohibited,  though  rarely 
used  in  England,  save  in  lead. 

There  are  some  very  fine  examples  of  brass  or  bronze  fonts,  of 
different  periods,  on  the  Continent.  In  Holyrood  chapel  there  was 
a  brass  font  wherein  the  royal  children  of  Scotland  were  baptized. 
In  1544  it  was  carried  off  by  Sir  Richard  Lea  and  presented  to 
the  abbey  church  of  St.  Albans ;  but  it  was  afterwards  destroyed 


FONTS  i6 


J 


by  the  Roundheads.  There  is  a  single  brass  font  now  in  an 
English  church,  namely,  at  Little  Gidding,  Hunts,  the  gift  of 
Nicholas  Ferrar  in  the  17th  cent. :  "A  new  font  was  also  provided, 
the  leg,  laver,  and  cover  all  of  brass,  handsomely  and  expensively 
wrought  and  carved  "  (Peckard's  Memoirs  of  N,  Ferrar^  178). 

The  silver-gilt  font  kept  with  the  regalia  in  the  Tower,  and  used 
at  royal  baptisms,  was  made  for  Charles  II.  It  measures,  with 
the  cover,  37^  inches  in  height,  and  the  diameter  of  the  bowl  is 
\'j\  inches.  It  is  highly  ornamented,  and  the  cover  is  surmounted 
by  a  group  representing  St.  Philip  baptizing  the  Eunuch.  A 
silver  parcel-gilt  font  used  for  a  like  purpose  used  to  be  preserved 
in  the  cathedral  church  of  Canterbury  ;  it  is  described  in  the  Jewel 
Book  of  Henry  VIII.  as  "a  fonte  chased  with  men  beasts  & 
fowles  half  gilt  with  a  cover  gilte  pois  together  cciiij''''j  oz." 

There  are  a  variety  of  leaden  fonts  in  England  of  different 
periods.  More  or  less  incorrect  lists  have  been  given  from  time 
to  time,  but  in  1900  the  subject  was  authoritatively  treated  and 
illustrated  by  Dr.  Fryer  in  vol.  Ivii.  of  the  Archceological  Journal. 
They  number  twenty-seven.  Eight  occur  in  Gloucestershire,  three 
each  in  Kent  and  Sussex,  two  each  in  Oxfordshire  and  Hereford- 
shire, and  one  apiece  in  the  counties  of  Derby,  Dorset,  Hants, 
Lincoln,  Norfolk,  and  Surrey.  In  Gloucestershire  there  are  six 
tub-shape  fonts  of  lead,  all  made  from  the  same  mould.  They 
occur  at  Frampton-on-Severn,  Lancaut,  Oxenhall,  Sandhurst, 
Siston,  and  Tidenham.  The  effective  decoration  on  these  fonts 
is  in  high  relief;  it  comprises  a  band  of  foliage  at  the  top  and 
bottom,  and  between  them  an  arcade  with  alternate  figures  and 
scroll-work. 

At  St.  Mary's,  Wareham,  Dorset,  occurs  the  only  example  of  a 
hexagonal  leaden  font ;  it  has  a  double  arcading  on  each  face,  with 
a  figure  under  each  arcade. 

The  circular  fonts  of  Warborough,  Oxon.,  and  Long  Wittenham, 
Berks.,  are  nearly  identical ;  they  have  arcading  with  figures  at  the 
base,  and  a  variety  of  geometrical  rounded  patterns  above. 

In  three  instances  of  circular  leaden  fonts,  all  beautifully 
wrought,  there  are  full-face  figures  under  round-headed  arcades  ; 
eleven  in  the  case  of  Dorchester,  Oxon. ;  six  at  Walton-on-the-Hill, 
Surrey ;  and  twelve  at  Ashover,  Derbs.  The  last  of  these  is  in 
reality  a  stone  font  encased  in  a  leaden  covering. 

The  twelve  fonts  just  considered  have  been  supposed  by  some 


i64        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

good  judges,  such  as  Professor  Freeman,  to  be  of  Saxon  date,  but 
a  careful  examination  of  the  details  of  the  ornament  make  it  more 
probable  that  they  pertain  to  the  Norman  period. 

At  Burghill,  Herefords.,  the  well-moulded  rim  of  a  Norman 
leaden  font  has  been  welded  to  a  new  bowl.  The  small  tub  font 
at  Woolstone,  Berks.,  is  rudely  marked.  Dr.  Fryer's  suggestion 
that  the  designer  was  endeavouring  to  reproduce  the  form  of  an 
earlier  timber  Saxon  church  is  ingenious  but  not  probable. 

The  recently  discovered  leaden  bowl  of  the  font  of  Barnetby-le- 
Wold,  Lines.,  is  ornamented  with  three  bands  of  scroll-work.  The 
designs  on  those  of  Edburton  and  Pyecombe  approach  the  close 
of  the  Norman  style.  The  highly  remarkable  leaden  font  of 
Brookland,  Kent,  has  figures  symbolical  of  the  months,  as  well  as 
the  signs  of  the  Zodiac  and  other  designs  ;  it  is  fully  described  and 
illustrated  in  the  Archceological  Journal  for  1849.  The  Childrey, 
Berks.,  example,  with  twelve  bishops  in  relief  round  the  bowl,  is 
also  Norman. 

There  is  a  leaden  bowl  of  I3th-cent  date  at  Wychling,  Kent, 
and  another  of  the  same  period  at  Brundall,  Norfolk.  An  heraldic 
one  of  the  middle  of  the  14th  cent,  occurs  at  Parham,  Sussex. 
The  small  leaden  font  of  Down  Hatherley,  Glos.,  has  Tudor 
rosettes  and  other  ornaments  ;  its  date  is  c.  1500. 

The  curious  tub-shaped  leaden  bowl  of  Tangley,  Hants,  must 
be  of  Jacobean  date  ;  it  is  ornamented  with  roses,  crowned  thistles, 
and  fleur-de-lis.  The  fonts  of  Eythorne,  Kent,  Slimbridge,  Glos., 
and  Aston  Ingham,  Herefords.,  are  also  17th  cent. ;  they  are 
respectively  dated  1628,  1664,  and  1689. 

At  Stratford,  Essex,  and  at  Potter  Heigham,  the  pre-Reforma- 
tion  fonts  are  of  brickwork  ;  in  both  cases  they  are  of  course  lined 
with  lead.  At  Potter  Heigham  quite  a  graceful  result  has  been 
produced  by  the  use  in  certain  parts  of  specially  moulded  bricks 
of  the  local  clay.  Sir  Stephen  Glynne,  in  his  notes  on  Kent 
churches,  writing  in  1859,  says  of  Kennardington,  "The  font  is  of 
brick."  The  font  of  the  church  of  Chignal  S mealy,  Essex,  is  also 
of  brick. 

Fonts  were  ordered  to  have  covers  and  to  be  kept  locked  for 
the  double  purpose  of  cleanliness  and  for  checking  the  use  of  the 
water  for  superstitious  purposes.  The  Bishop  of  Exeter,  in 
1287,  ordered  that  each  parish  church  was  to  be  furnished  with  a 
baptisterium  lapidetmi  bene  seratum.      Archbishop  Winchelsea,  in 


FONTS  165 

his  visitation  of  1305,  inquired  whether  there  was  di  fontem  mm 
sei'ura.  A  provincial  English  synod,  held  in  1236,  provided  that 
the  water  was  to  be  changed  every  seven  days.  The  rubric  of  the 
first  English  Prayer-book  provided  for  the  change  being  made 
once  every  month  ;  the  Scottish  book,  of  1604,  ordered  the  fort- 
nightly renewal  of  the  water ;  but  by  the  present  rubric  there  is 
to  be  a  fresh  supply  at  every  baptism. 

As  to  the  shape  of  English  fonts,  the  very  numerous  Norman 
examples  are  of  three  shapes — (i)  "Tub"  fonts,  i.e.  without  any 
base  or  support ;  (2)  chalice  or  cup  shape,  consisting  of  base  shaft 
and  bowl ;  and  (3)  a  bowl  supported  on  several  shafts,  iisually  a 
central  one  and  four  at  the  angles.  The  respective  age  of  these 
three  styles  usually  follows  the  arrangement  just  given.  Each  of 
these  three  styles  may  also  be  subdivided  into  instances  in  which 
the  interior  of  the  bowl  is  either  round  or  square.  The  interior  of 
the  bowl,  in  the  vast  majority  of  cases,  is  circular.  Occasionally, 
as  in  a  few  Norman  fonts  of  North  Somerset,  the  interior  is  square. 
In  three  instances,  namely,  at  Wellow,  Somerset,  Lenton,  Notts., 
and  St.  Mary's,  Stafford,  the  interior  of  the  bowl  is  foliated  ;  and  at 
Lanteglos,  Cornwall,  and  Yate,  Glos.,  it  is  octagonal. 

The  outer  octagonal  shape  came  into  use  in  a  few  late  instances 
in  Norman  days,  and  is  also  found  occasionally  in  those  of  Early 
English  date. 

Fonts  subsequent  to  the  time  of  Henry  III.  are  almost  always 
octagon  in  shape  ;  but  there  are  a  few  square  I4th-cent.  fonts,  as  at 
Newick,  Sussex;  and  of  the  15th,  as  at  Bradfield,  Suffolk,  and 
Lind field,  Sussex.  There  are  a  very  few  English  fonts  of  heptagon 
shape — Chaddesden,  Derbs.  ;  Elmswell,  Suffolk  ;  and  Bowden 
Magna,  Leics.  About  a  score  are  hexagon ;  such  are  those 
of  Faringdon,  Berks.  ;  Kegworth,  Leics.  ;  Outwell,  Norfolk ; 
Rolvenden,  Kent ;  Sleaford,  Lines.,  etc.  At  HoUington,  Sussex, 
is  the  unique  example  of  a  pentagon  font. 

Both  Mr.  Parker  and  Mr.  Bloxam  were  in  the  habit  of  saying 
that  they  were  not  aware  of  a  single  instance  of  the  survival  of  a 
pre-Conquest  font.  We  believe  this  is  still  the  opinion  of  several 
expert  ecclesiologists,  such  as  Mr.  W.  H.  St.  John  Hope,  and  it  was 
a  view  that  was  likewise  upheld  by  the  late  Mr.  Micklethwaite. 
It  requires,  therefore,  some  boldness  to  assert  that  Saxon  fonts  do 
remain  in  England  ;  but  this  we  are  convinced  is  the  fact.  It 
would,  indeed,  be  marvellous  if  this  was  not  the  case,  as  there  are 


i66        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

so  many  substantial  remnants  of  Saxon  church  fabrics.  Stone  fonts, 
which  are  by  their  very  nature  of  a  fairly  indestructible  character, 
were,  beyond  doubt,  used  by  Saxon  Christians. 

In  two  cases  the  pre-Norman  characters  used  in  font  inscriptions 
prove  their  Saxon  date.  The  inscription  on  the  circular  font  of 
Little  Billing,  Northants,  engraved  by  Paley,  runs  round  about  a 
third  of  the  circumference  of  the  bowl,  with  two  horizontal  lines  of 
Anglo-Saxon  lettering  ;  it  reads  as  follows : — 

Wigberhtus  artifex  atque  cementarius  Jmnc  fabricavit^ 
Quisquis  suum  venit  mergere  corpus  procul  dubio  capiat. 

'*  Wigbert  the  artificer  and  mason  made  this  (font), 
Whoever  comes  hither  to  dip  his  body,  let  him  take  it  (Baptism)  without  doubt." 

There  is  one  other  font,  namely,  that  of  Potterne,  Wilts.,  with  an 
inscription  in  similar  angular  pre-Norman  capitals.  In  this  case 
the  inscription  is  the  appropriate  first  verse  of  Ps.  xlii.  : — CiciLt 
cervus  desiderat  adfontes,  aquarum  ita  desiderat  anivia  mea  ad  te  Ds. 
Amen.  This  font,  of  tub  shape,  was  discovered  in  1872,  buried 
4  feet  below  its  successor. 

Competent  authorities  pronounce  the  old  font  at  Bosbury, 
Herefords.,  found  in  1844,  2  feet  below  its  Early  English  successor, 
to  be  of  pre-Norman  date. 

In  the  church  of  South  Hayling,  Hants,  is  a  small  font  of 
Anglo-Saxon  knot-work,  fully  described  by  Mr.  Romilly  Allen  in 
vol.  ii.  of  the  Victoria  County  History  of  Hants. 

There  seems  no  reason  whatever  to  doubt  that  the  font  of  the 
Saxon  church  of  Deerhurst,  Glos.,  is  at  least  as  old  as  the  date  of 
the  later  Saxon  chapel — shown  by  its  dedication  stone  to  be  of  the 
year  1053 — and  possibly  pertains  to  the  much  older  church.  It  is 
cylindrical,  and  covered  with  peculiar  spiral  ornaments.  The  whole 
question  as  to  this  font  and  the  probable  early  date  of  one  or  two 
other  fonts  similarly  ornamented,  is  ably  discussed  by  Mr.  Hudd  in 
vol.  xi.  of  the  Gloucester  and  Bristol  ArchcBological  Societies  Trans- 
action. 

The  font  at  Bridekirk,  Cumberland,  with  a  runic  inscription, 
was  long  supposed  to  be  of  very  early  date,  but  the  best  experts 
seem  now  agreed  that  the  runes  are  of  the  12th  cent. 

The  massive  tub  font,  3  feet  in  diameter,  of  the  Saxon  church 
of  Boarhunt,  Hants,  may  be  clearly  accepted  as  of  the  same  date 
as  the  fabric. 


FONTS 


167 


The  oldest  of  the  two  fonts  in  the  church  of  Bowes,  N.  R.  Yorks., 
has  a  circular  bason  supported  by  a  Roman  altar.  There  cannot  be 
much  doubt  but  that  this  bowl  is  of  pre-Norman  date.  The  bowl 
of  the  font  at  Romaldkirk  in  the  sanie  Riding  is  similarly 
ornamented. 

The  lower  part  of  the  historic  font  of  St.  Martin's,  Canterbury, 
whatever  may  have  been  its  original  use,  is  of  pre-Norman  design. 

It  is  also  the  opinion  of  several  com- 
petent writers  that  various  of  the  earlier 
examples  of  plain  rude  fonts  are  just  as 
likely  to  be  Saxon  as  Norman.  It  would 
be  too  long  a  question  to  attempt  any  dis- 
cussion of  such  cases  in  these  pages,  for 
each  instance  requires  to  be  discussed  on 
its  own  merits. 

A  few  of  our  English  fonts  are  of  much 
interest  in  their  origin,  having  been,  in 
whole  or  in  part,  formed  of  Roman  ma- 
terial. At  Wroxeter,  Salop.,  and  again  at 
West  Mersea,  Essex,  where  the  church 
stands  on  the  site  of  a  Roman  villa,  the 
shafts  of  the  fonts  are  formed  of  the  drums 

of  Roman  columns.  At  Chollerton  and  Haydon,  Northumberland, 
and  at  Great  Salkeld,  Cumberland,  the  fonts  t^hemselves  are  said 
to  be  hollowed  out  of  Roman  altars. 

In  two  or  three  other  cases  it  is  found  that  the  font,  if  not  of 
pre-Norman  date,  has  been  made  of  Saxon  materials.  The  most 
noted  case  of  this  is  the  richly  sculptured  font  of  Wilne,  Derbs., 
which  is  constructed  out  of  a  reversed  section  of  an  early  Saxon 
pillar  cross. 

The  font  of  Dolton,  Devon,  is  constructed  from  two  pieces  of 
highly  ornamented   pre-Norman  cross  shafts.     At  Melbury  Bubb, 
Dorset,  the  font  is  formed  out  of  a  section  of  a  cylindrical  Saxon 
•  cross,  as  at  Wilne. 

There  is  one  most  interesting  and  beautiful  group  of  early  fonts 
of  which  the  font  of  Winchester  cathedral  is  the  most  conspicuous 
example.  The  excellent  material  from  which  they  are  formed  has 
resulted  in  a  remarkable  degree  of  preservation.  The  stone  is  a 
black  or  bluish-black  marble  that  has  been  proved  to  come  from 
the   Tournay    quarries    in    Hainault,   Belgium,  and    there,   in    all 


ST.  martin's,  canter- 
bury 


i68        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

probability,  they  were  carved  before  they  crossed  the  seas.  There 
are  seven  examples  of  this  group  of  imported  fonts  now  in  England, 
namely,  those  at  Winchester  cathedral,  at  East  Meon,  at  St.  Mary, 
Bourne,  and  at  St.  Michael's,  Southampton,  all  in  Hants ;  at 
Lincoln  cathedral  and  at  Thornton  Curtis,  Lines. ;  and  at  St. 
Peter's,  Ipswich,  There  used  to  be  another  Hampshire  example, 
namely,  at  Romsey  abbey  church  ;  but  being  in  poor  condition,  it 
was  broken  up  and  thrown  away  at  a  needless  restoration  about 
1850.  They  are  all  alike  in  form  and  general  outline,  and  consist 
of  a  bowl  round  on  the  inside  and  square  on  the  outside  ;  a  stem 
composed  of  a  central  shaft,  with  four  smaller  shafts  at  the  angles  ; 
and  a  base  which  is  square  like  the  bowl.  They  vary  in  height 
from  3  feet  2  inches  to  3  feet  6  inches,  and  the  diameter  of  the 
bowl  outside  varies  from  3  feet  3  inches  to  3  feet  7  inches.  The 
sides  of  the  square  of  the  bowl  are  boldly  though  somewhat  rudely 
carved  in  each  instance  ;  that  of  Winchester  with  the  legends  of  St. 
Nicholas  ;  that  of  East  Meon  with  the  story  of  Adam  and  Eve  ; 
that  of  Southampton  with  the  evangelistic  symbols  ;  and  the 
remainder  with  birds,  beasts,  and  mystical  creatures.  Their  date 
is  of  the  last  half  of  the  12th  cent.  The  history  and  details  of  this 
group  of  fonts  was  well  elucidated  by  Dean  Kitchin  and  Mr.  J. 
Rom  illy  Allen  in  vol.  1.  of  the  Journal  of  the  Bi'itish  A  re hcBo logical 
Association. 

About  the  middle  of  the  15th  cent,  the  singularly  happy  and 
beautifully  executed  idea  of  depicting  the  Seven  Sacraments  of  the 
Church,  on  the  vessel  dedicated  to  the  initial  Sacrament,  occurred 
to  the  designers  of  the  more  elaborate  English  font.  It  is 
exceedingly  probable  that  not  a  few  of  the  fonts  thus  embellished 
were  destroyed  by  Puritan  violence,  to  whom  such  subjects  would 
be  eminently  distasteful,  but  there  are  at  present  existing  in  England 
twenty-nine  examples,  which  are  thus  distributed — 

Badingham,  Suffolk.  Great  Glemham,  Suffolk. 

Binham  Abbey,  Norfolk.  Gorleston,  Suffolk. 

Blythburgh,  Suffolk.  Gresham,  Norfolk. 

Brooke,  Norfolk.  Laxfield,  Suffolk. 

Burgh-next-to-Aylsham,  Norfolk.  Loddon,  Norfolk. 

Cley,  Norfolk.  Marsham,  Norfolk. 

Cratfield,  Suffolk.  Martham,  Norfolk. 

East  Dereham,  Norfolk.  Melton,  Suffolk. 

Farningham,  Kent.  Nettlecombe,  Somerset. 


HOLY   MATRIMONY.       FARNINGHAM,    KENT 


HOLY   ORDERS.       WEST    LYNN,    NORFOLK 


FONT   PANELS 


c>fthe: 
UNIVERSITY  !j 

OF 


FONTS  169 

Norwich  cathedral,  Norfolk.  Westhall,  Suffolk. 

Sail,  Norfolk.  West  Lynn,  Norfolk. 

Southwold,  Suffolk.  Weston,  Suffolk. 

Stoley,  Norfolk.  Great  Witchingham^  Norfolk. 

Little  Walsingham,  Norfolk.  Woodbridge,  Suffolk. 

Walsoken,  Norfolk. 

The  steps  upon  which  these  fonts  stand  are  in  some  cases  elaborate 
and  beautiful,  those  of  Little  Walsingham  being  the  most  intricate 
in  design.  There  can  be  no  doubt  that  they  would  originally  in 
each  case  be  crowned  with  lofty  tabernacled  covers.  The  pedestals 
are  usually  adorned  with  eight  figures  in  niches,  and  the  bases 
further  enriched  with  small  representations  of  the  four  Evangelists 
and  their  symbols. 

All  their  bowls  are  octagonal,  and  consequently  some  other 
subject  had  to  be  designed  for  the  eighth  panel.  In  nine  cases 
the  Crucifixion  forms  the  subject  in  the  eighth  compartment,  in 
seven  instances  the  Baptism  of  our  Lord,  and  on  three  fonts  the 
Last  Judgment.  There  is  a  single  example  of  each  of  the  following 
subjects :  the  Communion  of  the  People,  the  Assumption,  the 
Virgin  and  Child,  the  Holy  Trinity,  Our  Lord  in  Glory,  and  the 
Martyrdom  of  St.  Andrew  at  the  church  of  St.  Andrew,  Melton. 
The  eighth  panel  at  Farningham  shows  a  figure  kneeling  before  a 
crucifix,  which  is  probably  intended  for  the  donor  of  the  font.  In 
the  three  remaining  cases  the  eighth  compartment  is  either  blank 
or  hopelessly  defaced. 

Most,  if  not  all,  of  these  fonts  were  originally  elaborately  coloured. 
Obvious  traces  of  colour  remain  at  Badingham,  East  Dereham, 
Nettlecombe,  and  West  Lynn,  whilst  at  Westhall  and  Great 
Witchingham  the  gilding  is  quite  brilliant,  and  the  red,  blue, 
green,  and  black  paint  comparatively  fresh.  The  details  of  the 
small  groups  of  figures  illustrating  the  Seven  Sacraments  are  of 
much  ecclesiological  interest,  and  have  been  fully  dealt  with  and 
illustrated  by  Dr.  Alfred  C.  Fryer  in  the  Archceological  Journal 
(vol.  Hx.,  March,  1902). 

Heraldry  sometimes  obtrudes  itself  on  a  font.  Notwithstanding 
its  apparent  inappropriateness  in  connection  with  the  administration 
of  the  initial  Sacrament,  its  presence  is  of  interest  in  suggesting  the 
donor  and  date  of  the  font.  Heraldry  is  to  be  noticed  on  the 
I4th-cent.  leaden  font  of  Parham,  Surrey,  and  on  three  or  four 
others    of   that   period.      At    Shelfanger,   Norfolk,    the  arms  and 


I70        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


initials  of  Adam  Bosville,  who  died  in  1360,  appear  on  the  font  ; 
but  heraldic  fonts  are  chiefly  of  the  next  century.  A  particularly 
interesting  heraldic  font,  giving  all  the  alliances  of  the  old  family 
of  Holdenby,  stood  in  the  church  of  Holdenby,  Northants,  until 
a  "  restoration  "  in  the  "  seventies,"  when  it  was  broken  up  and 
buried  beneath  its  modern  successor ! 

The  arms  of  Archbishop  Arundel  (i  397-1414)  appear  on  the 
font  of  Sittingbourne,  Kent,  and  those  of  the  last  abbot  of  Whalley 
on  Padiham  font,  Lanes. 

The  following  is  an  alphabetical  list  of  heraldic  fonts ;  it  makes 
no  pretensions  to  be  exhaustive.  Unless  otherwise  distinguished, 
the  fonts  are  all  of  the  Perpendicular  period. 


Ackworth,  Yorks. 

Alnham,  Northumberland  (1664). 

Aylsham,  Norfolk  (shaft). 

Barrow,  Suffolk. 

Breedon,  Leics.  1 

Burgate,  Suffolk. 

Burwash,  Sussex. 

Catterick,  Yorks. 

Little  Cornard,  Suffolk. 

Coventry,  H.  I'rinity,  Warvvicks. 

Crosthwaite,  Cumberland  (14th). 

Dalton-in-Furness,  Lanes. 

Drayton  Parsloe,  Bucks. 

Dunsford,  Devon. 

Eakring,  Notts.  (1674). 

East  Ham,  Essex. 

Fakenham,  Norfolk. 

Featherstone,  Yorks. 

Finchingfield,  Essex  (14th). 

Harington,  Lines. 

Haslingden,  Lanes. 

Heme,  Kent. 

Howell,  Lines. 

Hoxne,  Suffolk. 

Ingram,  Northumberland  (1664). 

Ketteringham,  Norfolk. 

Kettleburgh,  Suffolk. 

Kirkhampton,  Cornwall. 


Lesbury,  Northumberland. 

Market  Bosworth,  Leics.  (14th). 

Millom,  Cumberland. 

Mitcham,  Surrey. 

Mortlake,  Surrey. 

Mountfield,  Essex. 

North  Bradley,  Wilts. 

Padiham,  Lanes. 

Parham,  Surrey  (14th). 

Priston,  Somerset. 

Rackheath  Magna,  Norfolk  (i6th) 

Risley,  Derbs. 

Rolveiiden,  Kent  (14th). 

St.  Goran,  Cornwall. 

Sandwich,  Kent. 

Sedgefield,  Durham. 

Shelfanger,  Norfolk. 

Sittingbourne,  Kent. 

South  Kilvington,  Yorks. 

Staindrop,  Durham. 

Stanton  Harcourt,  Oxon. 

Stoke-by- Nay  land,  Suffolk. 

Ufford,  Suffolk. 

West  Deeping,  Lines.  (13th). 

Winterborne  Whitchurch,  Dorset. 

Wiston,  Suffolk. 

Woodchurch,  Chester. 

Wybunbury,  Chester. 


There  are  a  few  mediaeval  fonts  which  are  noteworthy  through 
having  projections  from  the  bowl.     These  projections  have  given 


FONTS  171 

rise  to  a  diversity  of  would-be  explanations  of  their  use  and  origin, 
which  are  mostly  futile.  There  are  five  distinct  English  instances, 
and  the  same  explanation  cannot  apply  to  them  all. 

The  most  interesting  of  these,  and  the  one  which  has  given  rise 
to  a  great  variety  of  conjectures,  is  that  of  Youlgreave,  Derbs.  This 
late  Norman  font,  which  has  been  frequently  illustrated,  possesses 
other  noteworthy  features  ;  the  best  account  and  pictures  of  it  are 
those  given  by  Mr.  Le  Blanc  Smith  in  vol.  xxvi.  of  the  Derbyshire 
Archceological  JotLrnal.  The  projection  in  this  case  takes  the  form 
of  a  rounded  bason  or  stoup,  a  little  below  the  level  of  the  font  rim  ; 
it  has  an  interior  width  of  9.J  inches,  and  an  interior  depth  of  6J 
inches.  There  can  be  little  doubt  that  the  use  of  this  hollowed 
adjunct  to  the  font  was  in  connection  with  baptism  by  affusion. 
The  usual  old  rubrics  of  the  baptismal  office  of  the  Western  Church 
ordained  that  when  the  infant  was  baptized  by  affusion,  the  surplus 
water  was  not  to  be  allowed  to  return  into  the  font  or  compartment 
of  the  font  wherein  was  the  consecrated  water,  but  that  a  vessel  was 
to  be  provided  to  receive  the  water  running  off  the  head  of  the 
recipient.  The  advantage  of  this  can  be  readily  understood  when 
it  is  recollected  that  the  hallowed  water  used  to  remain  in  the  font 
for  a  long  period.  This  is  the  explanation  of  the  bequests  of 
silver  basons  for  the  fonts  that  are  occasionally  met  with  in  EngHsh 
mediaeval  wills.  The  general  modern  Roman  use  is  to  have  the 
font  divided  into  two  parts  for  this  purpose,  each  with  its  own 
drain  running  into  the  earth.  In  cases  where  this  is  not  provided, 
it  is  usual  for  a  server  to  hold  a  bason  beneath  the  child's  head. 
In  several  churches  of  Brittany  and  Normandy,  as  well  as  in  the 
museums  of  Rouen  and  other  towns  in  the  north  of  France,  are 
early  fonts  with  side  projections  for  this  purpose.  But  in  all  these 
cases  such  projections  have  wide  circular  basons  at  the  top  and  are 
continued  down  to  the  base  of  the  font  or  floor  level,  being  pro- 
vided with  a  drain  communicating  with  the  soil  or  ground  beneath. 
There  is  no  drain  to  the  font  stoup  at  Youlgreave,  and  in  this  case 
it  would  serve  to  hold  a  movable  bason,  which  would  be  carried 
into  the  churchyard  and  there  emptied. 

Odiham,  Hants,  possesses  a  remarkable  font,  temp.  Henry  III., 
to  which  attention  has  often  been  directed.  Round  the  circular 
bowl  runs  the  inscription  from  the  Vulgate,  with  the  usual  con- 
tractions— Aiixilium  meuni  a  Domino  qtU  fecit  celum  et  terram 
(Ps.  cxxi.  2).      The  lettering  is   in  raised  letters  of  a  bold    and 


172        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

slightly  ornamental  style  of  "  black  letter  ; "  this  kind  of  text  is 
very  exceptional  for  I3th-cent.  work,  and  the  suggestion  that  the 
lettering  was  done  at  a  later  date  may  possibly  be  correct.  The 
character  and  method  of  this  inscription  is  unique  in  English  fonts, 
but  its  special  peculiarity  remains  to  be  noticed.  From  the  upper 
part  of  the  bowl  there  is  a  bracket-like  projection,  in  the  top  of 
which  is  an  oblong  hollow  measuring  5  inches  by  3I  inches.  This 
hollow  has  sloping  sides,  and  is  i|  inches  deep.  At  each  end  is  a 
circular  hole  which  is  carried  through  the  stonework  at  an  acute 
angle,  terminating  in  similar  small  holes  lower  down  on  the  outer 
surface  of  the  bracket.  There  have  been  various  surmises  as  to 
the  original  use  or  intention  of  this  bracket.  Of  late  years  it  has 
been  generally  maintained  that  it  was  to  serve  for  baptism  by 
affusion,  after  the  same  fashion  as  the  attached  stoup  of  Youlgreave. 
But  the  small,  oblong  hollow  is  obviously  quite  unfitted  for  any 
such  purpose,  and  if  a  little  water  is  poured  in,  it  trickles  down  the 
outside  of  the  font  in  two  directions,  after  a  fashion  that  would 
make  its  retention  in  any  vessel  placed  on  the  ground  an  im- 
possibility. It  is  just  possible  that  the  Odiham  projection  may 
have  served  to  affix  a  movable  bracket  upon  which  a  bason  could 
rest ;  but  this  is  improbable,  for  in  that  case  the  holes  in  the  hollow 
would  have  been  straight  so  as  to  readily  permit  of  the  fixing  and 
unfixing  of  such  a  convenience.  This  bracket  could  have  had  no 
connection  with  the  chrysmatory  for  the  holy  oils  used  at  baptism, 
for  the  mediaeval  chrysmatory  was  of  very  small  dimensions,  and 
held  in  the  hand  of  a  server.  On  the  whole  by  far  the  most  likely 
use  for  this  bracket  was  to  serve  as  a  support  for  the  hinges  of  a 
font-cover  of  unusual  solidity  of  structure. 

The  I4th-cent.  font  of  Pitsford,  Northants,  is  well  engraved  by 
Paley.  This  font  has  a  plain,  solid,  three-sided  ledge  projecting 
immediately  from  the  rim  of  the  octagonal  font,  and  pierced  with 
several  small  circular  holes.  It  is  probable  that  these  holes  and  the 
ledge  were  intended  to  sustain  a  movable  rest  of  wood  or  metal 
for  the  support  of  the  affusion  bason,  or  (which  is  more  unlikely) 
for  a  bracket  to  hold  the  office  book. 

At  St.  Michael's,  Sutton  Bonnington,  Notts.,  is  a  fourth  of  these 
fonts  with  projections  cut  out  of  the  solid  stone.  This  well-finished 
I4th-cent.  octagonal  font  has  its  original  step  and  priest's  stone. 
It  stands  4  feet  high,  and  has  a  diameter  of  2  feet  6  inches.  There 
are  three  projecting  brackets  ;  the  one  on  the  celebrant's  left  has  a 


FONTS 


173 


ST.    MICHAEL'S,    SUTTON   BONNINGTON, 
NOTTS. 


flat  surface  level  with  the  font  rim  9  inches  by  8  inches  ;  the  two 
smaller  ones,  on  the  east  and  south  sides  of  the  font,  are  6  inches 
across.  On  the  larger  bracket  would  rest  the  affusion  bowl  in  the 
proper  place,  for  the  infant's  head  would  rest  on  the  priest's  left 
arm,  whilst  the  two  other  pro- 
jections might  be  convenient 
for  the  salt  and  candle,  which 
were  accessories  of  the  full 
Western  rite  of  baptism. 

The  font  of  Rainham,  Es- 
sex, has  a  circular  Norman 
bowl  with  a  shaft  of  later  date. 
On  one  side  there  is  a  small 
semicircular  projection,  level 
with  the  rim  of  the  font, 
standing  out  a  little  distance  ; 
whilst  on  the  opposite  side  is 
a  small  portion  of  another 
similar  projection,  most  of 
which  has  been  broken  away. 

The  I3th-cent.  font  of  Raunds,  Northants,  has  a  carved  ram's 
head  projecting  from  the  rim,  the  top  of  which,  when  perfect,  may 
possibly  have  served  as  a  rest.  Several  other  of  our  old  fonts  show 
marks  or  traces  whence  original  projections  seem  to  have  been 
broken  off. 

With  regard  to  post- Reformation  fonts,  there  are  just  a  few 
dated  examples  of  the  long  reign  of  Elizabeth.  Such  are  Ellesmere, 
Salop.,  1569,  and  Edlington,  Staffs.,  1590.  Much  honour  was  done 
to  the  fonts  in  the  way  of  more  or  less  comely  covers  during  the 
time  of  James  I.,  but  very  few  were  then  constructed.  The  font  of 
Whixall,  Salop.,  bears  the  date  1608.  At  Byford,  Herefords.,  is  a 
font  of  the  time  of  Charles  I.,  dated  1638,  and  there  is  another  of 
the  following  year  at  Rackheath  Magna,  Norfolk. 

When  the  Puritans  gained  the  ascendancy  during  the  Common- 
wealth, the  use  of  fonts  was  forbidden  ;  their  place  was  to  be  taken 
by  a  mere  bason.  Where  churchwarden  accounts  of  this  period 
are  extant,  reference  is  often  made  to  this  mean  change.  Thus  at 
Wilmslow,  Chester,  the  lead  lining  of  the  old  font  was  sold  for 
3^-.  ;  and  in  1647  "iron  work  to  sett  the  bason  in"  cost  5^".,  whilst 
2s.  M,  was  paid  for  "  a  pewter  bason  for  to  baptize  in."     The  same 


174        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


parish  accounts  show  that  lys.  8d,  was  spent  on  a  new  font  in  1660, 
and  9^".  on  a  cover  in  166 1. 

The  churchwarden  accounts  of  Aldwincle  St.  Peter's,  Northants, 
show  that  a  bason  was  bought  for  6d.  in  1655,  and  in  1657  the 
churchwardens  "sould  the  ffont  for  iij^.  vjV."  In  1662  they  had  to 
spend  £1  los.  2d.  in  setting  it  up  again. 

The  dated  fonts  of  the  early  days  of  the  Restoration  of  both 
the  Church  and  the  Monarchy  are  numerous.  Those  of  the  year 
1662  naturally  predominate,  as  that  was  the  time  when  loyalty  to 
the  Prayer-book,  by  those  holding  benefices,  was  made  obligatory. 

The  following  list  includes  many  dated  Restoration  fonts  to 
be  found  in  different  parts  of  the  kingdom,  but  it  is  probably 
less  than  a  quarter  of  the  whole  number  : — 


1660.  Edwalton,  Notts. 

,,  Ratcliffe-on-Soar,  Notts. 

„  Wysall,  Notts. 

„  Flinton,  Notts. 

„  Flawborough,  Notts. 

„  North  Winfield,  Derbs. 

1 66 1.  Probus,  Cornwall. 
„  Lurgashall,  Sussex. 

„  Wakefield,  W.  R.  Yorks. 

„  Ormskirk,  Lanes. 

„  Pleasley,  Derbs. 

1662.  Cropwell,  Notts. 

„  East  Bridgford,  Notts. 

„  Sibthorp,  Notts. 

„  Whatton,  Notts. 

„  Shelford,  Notts. 

,,  Orston,  Notts. 

„  Tithby,  Notts. 


1662.  Scarrington,  Notts. 

„  Distington,  Cumberland. 

„  North  Chapel,  Sussex. 

„  Ecclesfield,  W.  R.  Yorks. 

„  Sandal,  W.  R.  Yorks. 

„  Burneston,  E.  R.  Yorks. 

,,  Ainderby  Steeple,  E.  R.Yorks. 

,,  Northallerton,  E.  R.  Yorks. 

„  Wensley,  E.  R.  Yorks. 

„  Great  Harwood,  Lanes. 

„  Wirksworth,  Derbs. 

„  Fiiidern,  Derbs. 

„  Skirkbeck,  Lines. 

,,  Astbury,  Chester. 
1663.  Marske,  E.  R.  Yorks. 

„.  Bunbury,  Chester. 

„      Ripple,  Kent. 

„      Ackworth,  W.  R.  Yorks. 


There  are  also  one  or  two  dated  fonts  of  the  years  1664  and 
1665. 

Some  of  these  fonts  are  of  rude  workmanship,  but  others, 
notably  a  Nottinghamshire  group,  of  very  similar  design,  display 
decided  merit.  The  most  striking  Restoration  font  in  England  is 
the  one  in  Orston  church,  Notts.,  which  is  a  fine  piece  of  carving, 
partly  after  a  mediaeval  model,  but  at  the  same  time  showing  con- 
siderable originality.  The  arrangement  of  the  three  tulips — 
probably  emblematic  of  the  Trinity — is,  wQ  should  think,  unique. 


FONTS 


175 


Another  Restoration  font  which  we  also  consider  worth  illustrating 
is  that  of  Wirksworth,  Derbs.  In  this  case,  although  the  true  prin- 
ciples of  design  are  set  at  defiance  by  a  medley  of  varied  orna- 
ments, the  result  is  not  unpleasant,  for  it  is  quite  obvious  that  the 
sculptor  did  the  very  best  of  which  he  was  capable  to  adorn  the 
House  of  God.  These  fonts  are  mostly  octagonal,  but  those  of 
Lurgashall  and  North  Chapel,  Sussex,  are  square  and  of  local 
Petworth  marble. 

In  a  few  instances   the   date   1660   or  1662,  accompanied  by 


ORSTON,    NOTTS. 

churchwarden  initials,  are  to  be  found  on  far  older  fonts,  signalizing 
the  date  when  they  were  brought  back  into  the  church  after  Puritan 
ejection.  This  is  the  case  with  the  Norman  font  of  Parwich, 
Derbs.,  and  with  the  i5th-cent.  font  of  Church  Layton,  Leics. 

Some  later  fonts  of  the  same  century  are  also  dated.  Thus 
1674  appears  on  the  font  of  Eakring,  Notts.  ;  1 681  at  Stoke 
Albany,  Northants  ;  and  1686  on  those  of  Pickhill,  E.  R.  Yorks., 
and  Lupton,  Westmoreland. 

The  use  of  anything  save  a  proper  font  for  baptism  was  for- 
bidden by  Elizabeth  in  1584,  and  is  strictly  prohibited  by  the 
reformed  Canon  of  the  Church  of  England  ;  but  the  use  of  mere 
basons  by  the  Puritans  obtained  such  a  hold  that  this  irreverent 


176 


ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


custom  is  even  yet  in  use  in  a  few  out-of-the-way  parishes,  where 
small  bowls  of  various  kinds  are  introduced  into  the  font  to  save 
the  trouble  of  heavier  water-carrying.  Only  a  few  years  ago  a 
shallow  Wedgwood  saucer,  with  a  cover,  the  whole  precisely  like  a 
muffin  dish,  was  specially  made  for  the  purpose  ;  but  it  is  very  rarely 
now  seen.  Just  now  and  again  such  font  basons  were  of  costly 
material. 

At  Audlem,  Chester,  there  is  a  silver  font  bowl  thus  inscribed — 


WIRKSWORTH,    DERBS. 


For  the  more  decent  celebration  of  the  Holy  Sacrament  of  Baptism  in 
the  Parish  Church  of  Audlem.  This  Bason  is  humbly  dedicated  to 
the  Font  there  by  Ann  Evans,  widow  of  Wm.  Evans  M.A.,  xxxv 
years  master  of  the  Free  School  of  the  said  Parish,  out  of  her 
regard  to  her  said  late  Husband's  intentions,  thd  not  reqtiired  by 
his  will,  1744. 

In  Sir  Stephen  Glynne's  notes  on  Kent  churches,  taken  about 
1835,  occurs  the  following  entry  under  Cranbrook  :— 


FONTS 


177 


'*  On  the  south  side  of  the  nave  is  what  is  scarce  to  be  found  in  any 
other  church — a  square  baptistery  of  stone  for  the  purpose  of  immersing 
such  Baptists  as  desire  to  enter  the  communion  of  the  church;  it  was 
erected  in  1725  by  the  Revd.  John  Johnson,  Vicar,  and  resembles  a  bath 
with  a  descent  of  several  steps.     It  is  said  only  to  have  been  used  twice." 

The  subject  of  font  inscription  is  sufficiently  interesting  to  call 
for  special  treatment,  particularly  as  several  of  them  are  difficult  to 
decipher.  The  appropriate  Greek  palindromical  lines  which  read 
the  same  either  way — 

Nl^^ON    ANOMHMA    MH    MONAN    04^IN 

('*  Wash  my  sin  and  not  my  face  only  ") 

appear  on  many  fonts.  Such  are  Worlingworth,  Suffolk  ;  Dedham, 
Hadleigh,  and  Harlow,  Essex;  Higham,  Longley  Castle  (private 
chapel),  Knapton  (font  cover),  Norfolk  ;  Kinnerley  (a  fragment), 
and  Melverley,  Salop.  ;  Melton  Mowbray,  Leics. ;  Nottingham,  St. 
Mary's;  and  Sandbach,  Chester  (1667).  The  same  also  appears 
on  the  more  recent  fonts  of  Leominster  ;  of  St.  Martin's,  Ludgate, 
London  ;  and  of  Dulwich  College  chapel. 

At  Hook  Norton,  Oxon.,  is  a  font  with  the  names  of  Sagittarius, 
Adam,  and  Eve  inscribed.  The  lead  font  of  Brookland,  Kent,  has 
the  names  of  the  months  and  of  the  signs  of  the  Zodiac.  The 
Norman  font  of  Stoneleigh,  Warwicks.,  has  the  names  of  the 
Twelve  Apostles  ;  and  that  of  Stanton  Fitzwarren,  Wilts.,  the 
names  of  the  depicted  Virtues  and  Vices. 

The  fonts  of  Severnstoke,  Worcs.,  and  of  Rushton  All  Saints, 
Northants,  have  the  whole  alphabet  inscribed  on  the  margin  of  the 
flat  part  of  the  top  of  the  bowl.  These  alphabets  were  probably 
used  by  the  parish  priest  or  chaplain  for  what  we  should  now  call 
"  Sunday-school "  purposes. 

The  following  collection  of  inscriptions  on  English  fonts  and 
font-covers  are  arranged  in  alphabetical  order.  The  inscriptions  on 
the  pre-Norman  fonts  of  Little  Billing  and  Potterne  have  already 
been  given. 

The  font  at  Acle,  Norfolk,  retained  until  time  of  "  restoration  " 
a  great  deal  of  its  original  colouring  and  gilding  ;  round  the  base 
is  this  inscription — Orate  pro  animabics  qui  istum  fontem  in  honore 
dei fieri  fecer tint,  Anno  dni  Millimo  cccc  decimo. 


178        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 
Adderley,  Salop.,  I2th-cent.  sculpture. 

Hie  male  primus  homo 
Fruitur  cu?n  conjiige  porno. 

("  Here  wickedly  the  first  man  enjoys  the  apple  with  his  wife.") 

Ackworth,  Yorks.  Baptisterium  bello  phanaticorum  dirutuni 
dentLO  erecUiin  Tho:  Bradley  D.D.  rector e,  H.A.,  T.C.  gardianiSy 
1663. 

St.  Anthony-in-Kerrier,  Cornwall,  the  font  has  the  inscription — 
Ecce  karissimi  de  deo  vera  baptizabimtur  spirittt  sancto,  with  the 
initials  Q.P.,  B.M.,  B.V.,  and  P.R.  in  pairs,  between  four  shield- 
bearing  angels. 

The  cover  of  the  Early  English  font  at  Bentworth,  Hants,  is  of 
a  curious  gabled  shape  with  a  terminal  ball,  and  round  the  edge 
appears  in  large  capitals,  I  am  geven  hi  Martha  Hunt.    Anno  1605. 

Beverley  St.  Mary's,  Yorks.  Pray  for  the  soiUes  of  Wyllm 
Feryffaxe  draper  and  his  wyvis  whiche  made  this  Font  of  his  p'per 
costes  the  X  day  of  Marche ye  yere  of  our  Lord  MDXXX. 

The  font  of  Blythburgh,  Suffolk,  is  raised  upon  three  high 
octagonal  stone  steps,  inscribed  with — Orate  pro  aiabs  Johne  Masin 
et  Katei'ine  uxoris  ejus  .  .  .  (remainder  quite  illegible,  but  probably 
merely  stating  that  John  and  Katherine  gave  the  font). 

Bolton-juxta-Bowland,  Yorks.  This  octagon  font  of  grey 
marble  has  a  shield  of  arms  on  each  face,  namely,  Tempest, 
Hamerton,  Pudsay  and  Layton,  Pudsay,  Banks,  Pudsay,  Tunstall, 
and  Percy.  On  a  fillet  of  brass  let  into  the  marble  is  the  inscrip- 
tion— Orate  p'  aiabit  Dni  Radulphi  Pudsay  Milif  et  Dne  Edw^ne 
uxor  ejus  ac  Dni  Wilt  Pudsay  filii  eorti  qtcond'  rector  huf  ecclie. 
William  Pudsay  was  rector  of  Bolton  from  1448  to  1507. 

Bootle,  Cumberland.  The  I4th-cent.  font  bears — In  nomine 
patriy  et  filii  et  spirit'  sacti'  a. 

Bourne,  Lines.     SUp  ome  nom  I.  H.  C.  est  noTh  qde. 

Bradley,  Lines.,  14th  cent. 

Pater  Noster^  Ave  Maria^  and  Criede, 
Leren  ye  chyld  yt  es  nede. 

Bridekirk,  Cumberland.  This  famous  I2th-cent.  font  is  finely 
sculptured.  On  the  south  front  is  a  remarkable  inscription  which 
long  exercised  the  ingenuity  of  antiquaries.  The  difficulty  was 
supposed  to  be  solved  in  the   i8th  cent,  when  a  communication 


FONTS  179 

was  made  to  the  Society  of  Antiquaries  {Archceologia,  ii.  132) 
interpreting  the  words  to  mean — *'  Here  Skard  was  converted  and 
to  this  man's  example  were  the  Danes  brought " !  But  the 
inscription,  in  the  light  of  later  scholarship,  really  reads — 


That  is- 


Rikarth  he  me  hvrokte 

6^  to  this  merthe  gernr  me  brokte. 

Richard  he  me  wrought 

And  to  this  beauty  carefully  me  brought. 


The  letters  show,  says  Professor  Stephen,  "  a  strange  intermixture 
of  old  Northern  and  Scandinavian  and  old  English  staves  and  bind- 
Runes."  The  dialect  is  also  mixed,  early  North  English  with  a 
touch  of  Scandinavian.  Its  date  is  probably  of  the  12th  cent.  ; 
Professor  Stephen  suggests  that  Richard  who  carved  the  font  may 
have  been  the  architect  of  that  name  who  was  master  of  the  works 
to  Bishop  Pudsey  during  the  improvements  at  Norham  Castle, 
A.D.  1 1 50-70.  The  font  is  rectangular  ;  all  four  sides  are  elabor- 
ately sculptured.  On  the  face  with  the  inscription,  Richard  is 
represented  working  at  the  foliage. 

Bubwith,  E.  R.  Yorks.  Round  the  bowl  is  inscribed — Pons  de 
Imbird. 

Burgate,  Suffolk.  On  the  upper  step — [Orate  pro  aniuiabus] 
Wiirmi  Burgate  militis  et  dne  Elionere  uxoris  eius  qui  istum  fontem 
fier-i  fecerunt.     Sir  W.  Burgate  died  in  1409. 

Canterbury,  Cathedral  church.  On  the  I7th-cent.  elaborate 
font-cover  are  a  series  of  texts,  etc.  (see  Dr.  Cox's  Canterb?tryy 
187,  188). 

At  Castor  near  Norwich,  the  font  has  this  inscription  round  the 
base — Orate  f  fratribus  et  sororibiis  ac  bene/ 'tor ibjis  glide  scl  iohis 
baptlste  de  castre. 

Catterack,  E.  R.  Yorks.,  has  round  the  shaft  the  words  Clar 
Fon,  for  "clean  fountain." 

Chelmorton,  Derbs.  The  greatest  puzzle  among  English  font 
inscriptions  is  at  the  church  of  St.  John  Baptist,  Chelmorton.  It 
is  an  octagon  i5th-cent.  font,  bearing  a  small  letter  or  design  on 
each  face.  The  first  and  third  of  these  figures  seem  to  be  sword- 
hilts,  and  are  conjectured  to  be  emblems  of  martyrdom,  whilst  the 
O  between  them  may  stand  for  a  circle,  an  emblem  of  the  Holy 
Trinity.  The  late  Mr.  Greaves,  Q.C.,  in  a  learned  article  in  the 
Derbyshire  Archceologlcal  Joiimal  (vol.  i.,  1879),  supposes  that  the 


i8o        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

other  letters  are  initials  for  "  Salus  ex  baptismate  Sancti  Johannis 
martyris  "—that  is,  "  Salvation  (is)  from  the  baptism  of  St.  John 
the  Martyr."  This  explanation  is,  however,  more  ingenious  than 
convincing,  and  it  is  more  likely  that  the  letters  have  some  con- 
nection with  the  name  or  names  of  the  donor. 

The  font  of  Chillingham,  Northumberland,  moved  here  from 
Ancroft  church,  has  inscribed  on  the  bowl— 6^^^  bless  this  Church 

-IT  Hr  An  Domi.  1670. 

The  octagon  font  of  Chipping,  Lanes.,  bears  at  the  base  the 
initial  letters  of  the  Latin  version  of  the  Hail  Mary. 

Covenham  St.  Bartholomew,  Lines.  This  I5th-cent.  octagon 
font  has  the  initials  W.  A.  on  one  of  the  panels  ;  supposed  to 
stand  for  William  Askew,  the  donor. 

The  font  of  Cranstock,  Cornwall,  bears  the  date  inscription  of 
An'  n  M'CCCC  Ixxiiif. 

Crosthwaite,  Cumberland.  The  font,  of  latter  part  of  14th  cent., 
is  an  octagon.  The  four  principal  faces  of  the  bowl  bear  shields, 
the  other  four  ornamental  devices  of  masks  and  foliage.  On  the 
chamfered  edge  below  the  panels  is  a  black  letter  inscription  which 
is  a  good  deal  mutilated.  Shield  one  bears  emblems  of  Holy 
Trinity,  and  below  it  S\cMt'.\  see :  trinitatis ;  shield  two  a  lily  pot, 
and  Scut:  m'ris :  dei ;  shield  of  England  and  France,  and  Sc :  reg' 
A  nglie  ;  shield  of  symbols,  of  the  Passion,  and  .S"^  .*  d'^ii :  Xpi.  The 
words  below  the  four  other  panels  beg  for  prayer  for  a  former  vicar, 
who  probably  bequeathed  money  for  the  making  of  this  font — 
Orate  :  p  :  dia  :  dni  :  Thorn  :  deskhede  :  olim  :  ecclesie  :  hums  : 
vicarii. 

The  church  of  Darsham,  Suffolk,  has  a  characteristic  East 
Anglian  font  of  octagonal  design.  Lions  appear  on  the  alternate 
panels,  between  the  symbol  of  the  Trinity,  the  arms  of  the  Con- 
fessor, the  three  crowns  of  East  Anglia,  and  the  symbols  of  the 
Passion.  Round  the  circular  step  on  which  the  font  stands  is  the 
following  legend,  now  much  worn,  but  cited  as  given  in  Suckling's 
History  of  Suffolk  (1848) — Orate  pro  anima  Dni  Galfri  Symond, 
rector  is  de  Bradwell^  qui  istum  fontem  fieri  fecit  in  honor e  Dei. 
Geoffrey  Symonds,  a  native  of  this  village,  was  rector  of  Bradwell, 
1404. 

Dorton,  Bucks.  The  font  cover  is  inscribed — A  gifte  to  butyfie 
the  House  of  God.     Thomas  Harenson,  A.D.  1631. 


FONTS  i8i 

The  octagon  font  of  Dunsby,  Lines.,  has  a  most  puzzling  inscrip- 
tion on  its  panels.  On  one  panel  are  five  small  circles,  the  centre 
one  containing  the  letter  i,  which  seems  to  be  intended  to  be  used 
in  reiteration  with  the  surrounding  consonants  ;  probably  it  stands 
for  In  pjHnicipio.  On  other  panels  are  the  monograms  of  Jesus  and 
Christ,  and  the  words  baptista  and  Maria, 

The  font  of  East  Ham,  Essex,  is  a  white  marble  bason  of 
singularly  bad  proportions,  bearing  the  quartered  arms  of  Higham, 
and  this  inscription  round  the  rim — The  gift  of  S""  Richard 
Heigham,  Knight,  to  this  parish  of  East  ham,  A''  D''\  1639. 

The  octagonal  font  of  Elmswell,  Suffolk  (D.),  is  a  fine  one, 
supported  on  four  eagles ;  five  of  the  panels  are  charged  with  the 
letters  H.,  E.,  D.,  G.,  F.  consecutively,  probably  the  name  of  the 
donor. 

Featherstone,  Yorks.     Johe's  de  Baghill  et  Katerina  iixsor  ejus. 
Gaywood,  Norfolk.    A  font  of  Gothic  design,  but  of  post-Refor- 
mation date.     On  four  of  the  eight  sides  are  these  inscriptions — 
Qui  crediderit  et  baptizatus  fuerit  salvus  erit. 
Christum  induistis  quot  quot  baptizati  estis. 
Voce  pater  natus  corpore  flamen  ave.     Mat.  3. 
/  am  thy  God  and  the  God  of  thy  seede.     Gen. 
Goodmanham,  Yorks.,  temp.  Henry  VHI. 
Wyht  owt  [doubte  d\ll  may  be  saved 
Of  yor  charete  pra  for  them  yt  yis  font  mayd. 
Robert  clevying pson. 
Robert  Appilton. 

Ave  maria  grd plena  dns  tecu  bndicta  tu  in  mil. 
lade  help.     Ihs. 
Robert  Clevying  was  rector  from  1522  to  1565. 
On  the  eighth  panel  of  the  Seven  Sacraments  font  at  Gorleston, 
Suffolk,  is  a  representation  of  the  Last  Judgment,  and  over  it  the 
partially  defaced  legend,  Surgite  mortui  venite  ad  judicium. 

Great  Greenford,  Middlesex,  has  a  font  thus  inscribed — Ex 
dono  domincs  Franciscce  Coston^  viducs^  nuper  defunctce^  1638. 

Haltwhistle,  Northumberland.  On  the  upper  edge  of  the 
hexagon  bowl  is  cut  R.  P.  Jtily  the  2yth  1676.  Robert  Priest  man 
was  vicar  at  that  date  ;  but  the  font  is  pre-Reformation,  and  the 
inscription  can  only  refer  to  its  restoration. 

The  handsome  font  of  Hessett,  Suffolk,  has  a  "  kneeling  stone  " 
to  the  west  of  the  plinth.     Upon  the  three  sides  is  the  following 


i82        ENGLISH   CHURCH    FURNITURE 

inscription  :  Orate  pro  animahs  rti  hoo  et  augnetis  uxis  ejus  q  isttim 
fontem  fieri  fecerunt.  The  will  of  Robert  Hoo  was  proved  in  1510  ; 
in  it  he  mentions  "  myn  wyf  Augnes." 

The  font  of  St.  Mary's,  Ipswich,  bears  the  words  Sal  et  Saliva. 
In  the  old  rite  of  baptism,  as  still  used  by  the  Western  Church 
under  the  Roman  obedience,  salt,  over  which  an  exorcism  is  used, 
is  placed  in  the  mouth  of  the  child  with  an  appropriate  prayer  ; 
and  the  ears  and  nostrils  are  touched  with  saliva. 

St.  Ives,  Cornwall,  1 3th  cent.     Omnes  baptizate  gentes. 

Keysoe,  Beds.,  13th  cent.  The  only  Norman-French  font 
inscription — 

Trestui  ke par  hici  passerui 
Pur  le  alme  Warel  prieu 
Ke  Deu  par  sa  grace 
Verrey  merci  li  face.     Am. 

("Pause,  whoever  passes  by  this  spot,  and  pray  for  the  soul  of  Warel,  that  God  by 
His  grace  may  grant  him  true  mercy.     Amen.") 

Kelling,  Norfolk.  Remains  of  inscription  for  souls  of  .  .  .  de 
Kelling  and  Beatrice  his  wife. 

Kilvington,  E.  R.  Yorks.  At  the  base — Dominus  Thomas  le 
Scrope  et  Elizabeth  uxor  ejus. 

Kirton,  Lines.  Round  the  base  of  this  font  is  the  inscription — 
Orate  pro  aia  Alaric  Burton  qui  fontem  istum  fieri  fecit  A, D. 
MCCCL  V. 

Landewednack,  Cornwall.  This  font,  c.  1400,  bears  the  in- 
scription— Ric.  Bolham  me  fecit,     Bolham  was  a  former  rector. 

An  exceptional  inscription  is  on  the  elaborately  decorated  early 
Norman  font  of  LuUington,  Somerset ;  it  bears  the  following  in 
Roman  letters :  In  Hoc  Fontu  sacro  pereunt  delicto  lavacro.  Traces 
of  a  further  inscription  on  the  edge  are  now  indecipherable. 

Maidstone,  All  Saints,  Kent.  The  i/th-cent.  font  bears  the 
royal  arms  and  also  those  of  the  family  of  Aston.  Over  the 
former  are  the  words,  Feare  God^  Honour  ye  King. 

The  single  circular  step  on  which  the  font  at  Middleton, 
Suffolk,  rests,  bears  a  much-worn  black-letter  inscription.  Recent 
careful  rubbings  have  resulted  in  bringing  to  light  an  interesting 
English  distich — 

Cryst  mote  us  spede 
And  helpe  alle  at  nede, 

Newark,  Notts.     Round  the  base— G?r/2^  rei  nati  sunt  hoc  in 


FONTS  183 

Deo  fonte  renati.  The  word  "Deo"  is  in  different  characters,  and 
probably  a  later  insertion.  On  a  pillar  adjoining  is  a  brass  tablet 
with  this  inscription — This  Font  was  demolished  by  the  Rebels ^ 
May  9,  1646,  and  rebuilt  by  the  charity  of  Nicholas  Ridley  in  1660. 

Nuffield  font,  Oxon.,  is  plain  tub-shaped,  and  has  the  following 
inscription  in  Lombardic  characters  round  the  upper  part : — 

\^Fo7t\  te  sacro  latum  vel  nmndat  gracia  totum 
Vel  non  est  sacramenti  muitdacio  plena. 

Odiham,  Hants.     See  previous  account. 

Parham,  Sussex.  I.  H.  C.  N.  A.  Z.  A.  R.  (Jesus  of  Nazareth), 
repeated. 

Potterne,  Wilts.     Saxon  inscription  already  cited. 

Quadring,  Lines.  Round  the  base  of  this  font  is  the  inscrip- 
tion— Orate  pro  aia  Roberti  Perci  qui  istnm  fontem  fieri  fecit, 

Priston,  Somerset,  is  an  heraldic  font,  but  bears  on  two  of  the 
bowl  panels  W.  Long ;  the  arms  of  Long  also  appear  on  the  font, 
of  which  he  was  clearly  the  donor. 

Rackheath  Magna,  Norfolk.  The  hexagonal  font  bears  the 
arms  of  Pettus,  and  is  adorned  after  a  debased  Renaissance 
fashion  with  cherubs.     It  is  inscribed — B,  P.  ornavit  1639. 

Rochester,  St.  Nicholas.  C.  R.  I.  S.  T  L  A.  N.  A  single 
capital  letter  on  each  of  the  eight  faces. 

Saham  Toney,  Norfolk.  On  beautiful  font  cover — Lavaci^um 
Regenerationis  Johannes  Ives,  mtper  de  Saham,  insigne  hoc  pietatis 
Slice  testimonium  Deo  et  ecclesice  suce  moriens  legavit.  Anno  Domini, 
1631. 

The  collegiate  church  of  St.  Mary,  Stafford,  has  a  remarkable 
early  font  with  inscriptions  in  Lombardic  capitals,  which  have 
given  rise  to  much  discussion.  The  first  inscription,  just  above  the 
lions  which  support  the  bowl,  reads — Discretus  non  es  si  non  fugis 
ecce  leones.     The  other  runs  round  the  rim  and  is  partly  illegible — 

+  Tu  :  de  :  Jerusalem 
Ror  .  .  .  alem 
Me  :  faciens  :  talem 
Tarn  :  pulchrum. :  tarn  :  specialem. 

It  has  been  suggested  that  the  second  line  originally  ran— 
Rorem  niihi  das  genialem. 

Salle,   Norfolk.     On   the  lower  step   is — Orate  pro    animabus 
Thome  Luce  et  ,  ,  .  tixoris  ejus,  et  Roberti  filii  eorurn  capellani,  etc. 


i84        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Saltwood,  Kent.  On  one  of  the  panels  is  a  shield  with  the  two 
words — Jehsu  .  Mary  a. 

Shorwell,  I.  of  Wight.  The  font  cover,  the  gift  of  Sir  John 
Leigh,  c.  1620,  has  this  inscription — And  the  Holy  Ghost  descended 
in  bodily  shape  like  a  dove  upon  him.     Liike  3,  ve,  22. 

Southacre,  Norfolk.  On  the  cover — Ot^ate  p,  aia  Mri  Rici  Gotts 
et  dni  Galefridi  baker  Rectoris  htcj  [ecclie  qui  hoc]  opics  fieri  fecer tint. 

South  Ormsby,  Lines.,  has  at  the  base  the  names  of  the  donors 
Rudolph  Bolle  and  his  wife. 

Stanton  Fitzwarren,  Wilts.  See  under  Wiltshire  fonts  for  this 
lettering. 

Stixwold,  Lines.  On  this  octagonal  font  are  the  Evangelistic 
symbols  with  their  respective  names  on  scrolls. 

In  the  church  of  Stratford  Tony,  Wilts.,  is  a  I3th-cent.  font  ; 
it  is  a  rude  stone  bowl,  but  has  a  Purbeck  marble  shaft.  Round 
the  top  of  the  bowl  is  an  inscription,  of  which  only  the  words  Hie 
sistat  can  now  be  discerned. 

On  the  font  cover  of  Terrington  St.  Clement,  Norfolk,  are 
paintings  of  the  baptism,  temptation  and  fasting  of  our  Lord,  with 
the  inscription — Voce  Pater ,  Natus  Corpore,  Flamen  Ave — that  is, 
"  The  Father  (revealed)  by  the  voice,  the  Son  by  the  body,  the 
Spirit  by  the  bird." 

Threckingham,  Lines.  Ave  Maria  gracice  plena  dominus  tecum. 
(In  an  abbreviated  form.) 

Tilney  All  Saints,  Norfolk.     Same  as  Gaywood. 

Walsingham,  New,  Norfolk.  Font  cover  (now  in  a  loft)  bears — 
Ex  dono  Jane  domince  Sidney,  in  pice  mentis  indicium. 

Walpole  St.  Peter,  Norfolk.  Thynk  and  Thank  repeated 
round  bowl.  At  base — Remember  Whetorn  Johannes  sometime 
parson  here,  1532. 

Walsoken,  Norfolk,  1544.  Remember  the  soul  of  S.  Honyter  and 
Margaret  his  wife,  and  John  Beforth,  chaplain, 

Wensley,  N.  R.  Yorks.  Church  Masters  looke  to  your  charges, 
with  date  1662  and  initials  cut  on  the  late  Perpendicular  font  when 
restored  to  the  church  after  the  Puritan  disruption. 

On  the  granite  font  of  St.  Winnow,  Cornwall,  is  inscribed — 
Ecce  charissimi  de  deo  vero  baptizabuntur  spirtu  sancto.  The  like 
inscription  appears  on  two  other  fonts  of  this  county. 

Wold  Newton,  Lines.,  has  a  partially  legible  inscription  in 
memory  of  its  donors,  John  and  Joan  Curteys. 


FONTS  185 

Wrangle,  Lines.     On  the  cover — Ric,  Bailey  Vicar.     1724. 

York,  St.  Martin's,  Coney  Street.  Richard  Speight  and  Richard 
Mancklin  Church  Wardens.     An'^  Dom  1717,  on  handsome  cover. 

Occasionally  more  modern  fonts  have  more  or  less  appropriate 
inscriptions.  The  quaintest  English  font  inscription — probably  the 
quaintest  in  all  Christendom — is  the  one  to  be  seen  at  Tollesbury, 
Essex,  an  interesting  church  retaining  much  pre-Norman  work. 

The  small  octagonal  font,  2  feet  in  diameter  and  3  feet  high, 
bears  round  the  margin  of  the  bowl,  in  very  plain  lettering — 

Good  people  all  I  pray  take  care 
That  in  ye  church  you  doe  not  sware 
As  this  man  did. 

An  entry  among  the  baptisms  of  the  parish  register  explains 
the  mystery — 

"August  30,  17 18. — Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Eliza  Wood, 
being  ye  first  childe  whom  was  baptized  in  the  New  Font  which  was 
bought  out  of  five  pounds  paid  by  John  Norman,  sen.,  who  some  few 
months  before  came  drunk  into  ye  church  and  cursed  and  talked  loud  in 
the  time  of  Divine  service,  to  prevent  his  being  prosecuted  for  which  he 
paid  by  agreement  the  above  said  five  pounds.  Note  that  the  wise 
rythmes  on  the  font  were  put  there  by  the  sole  order  of  Robert  Joyce  then 
churchwarden." 

County  Lists 

[These  lists  aim  at  giving  the  principal  fonts  of  each  county  ;  an  *  is  attached  to  the  more 

noteworthy  examples.] 

Bedfordshire 

In  this  county  no  particular  style  or  period  of  fonts  predomi- 
nates. There  are  a  few  good  examples  of  each.  Flitwick  is  a 
good  Norman  font ;  what  is  supposed  to  have  been  its  original 
colouring  has  been  restored  to  it.  Houghton  Regis  has  a  fine  font 
of  the  same  period.  Studham  font,  illustrated  in  vol.  vi.  of  the 
Reliquary  and  Illustrated  Archceologisty  is  boldly  enriched  with 
Transitional  foliage. 

The  massive  Early  English  font  at  Keysoe,  with  the  remarkable 
Norman- French  inscription  at  the  base  (already  cited),  is  the  only 
Bedfordshire  example  engraved  by  Paley.  Tingrith  has  a  good 
font  of  this  period  on  clustered  columns,  and  the  adjacent  church 
of  Streatley  affords  another  example. 


i86        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Of  I4th-cent.  fonts,  the  adjacent  churches  of  Stagsden  and 
Goldington  have  good  examples,  the  former  curiously  carved. 

Arlsey  is  the  most  remarkable  font  of  the  next  century.  The 
sculptures  in  niches  illustrate  the  Fall,  the  Crucifixion,  the  Resur- 
rection, and  the  Mouth  of  Hell ;  round  the  stem  are  ecclesiastics  ; 
unfortunately  it  is  much  mutilated. 

Norman. — Carlton  *,     Crawley,     Flitwick,      Houghton     Regis,     Potton, 

Puddington  *,  Studham  *  (Transition). 
Early  English. — Battleden,  Challington,  Eaton  Bray  *,  Eversholt,  P^arndish, 

Felmersham,   Great   Barford,  Harold,  Keysoe  '"'^  Leighton    Buzzard, 

Stanbridge,  Stevington,   Streatley  *,  Studham  ""',  Tilsworth,  Tingrith, 

Turvey. 
Decorated. — Bedford    St.    Paul's,    Goldington  *,    Houghton    Conquest  ''', 

Kempstone,  Luton,  Ridgemont,  Stagsden  '"",  Sutton. 
Perpendicular. — Arlsey  *,  Bletsoe,  Bronham,   Caddington,  Clifton,   Colm- 

worth,  Cranfield,   Dunton,  Eaton  Socon,  Elstow  (early),  Harlington, 

Marston  Mortaine,  Oakley  *,  Odell,  Sandy,  Sharnbrook,  Stepingleigh, 

Stotfold,  Wilden,  Wrestlingworth. 


Berkshire 

The  Norman  fonts  are  numerous,  and  include  the  lead  example 
at  Woolhampton.  The  handsome  Transition  font  of  West  Shefford 
is  engraved  by  Paley.  Avington,  early  Norman,  ^as  thirteen 
figures  round  it,  supposed  to  be  the  Twelve  Apostles  and  Judas 
tempted  by  the  Fiend. 

Among  the  1 3th-cent.  fonts  is  one  of  lead  at  Childrey.  Wantage 
is  a  good  example  of  this  century,  with  the  dog-tooth  ornament. 
Ardington  font  bears  the  ball-flower  moulding  of  the  Decorated 
period.  The  massive  late  I5th-cent.  octagon  font  of  Hurley  is  also 
engraved  by  Paley. 

Norman. — Aston  Upthorpe,  Avington  '"'j  Bright  Walton,  Catmore,  Clewer, 
Drayton,  Eaton  Hastings,  Enborne,  Finchhamstead  *,  Great  ShefFord  *, 
Hambledon,  Letcombe  Regis,  Lockinge,  Pinley  '"",  Sulhampstead 
Abbas,  Sutton  Courtney,  Welford,  West  Shefford,  Sparsholt,  Wool- 
hampton (lead). 

Early  English. — Beedon,  Charney,  Childrey  (lead),  Coleshill,  Didcot, 
Eaton  Hastings,  Englefield  *,  Harwell,  Hatford  '",  Letcombe  Basset, 
Longworth,  Lyford,  Shrivenham  *,  Sutton  Courtney,  Wantage, 
Winterbourn. 


FONTS  187 

Decorated. — Ardington  *,  Buckland  *,  East  Hampstead,  Fyfield,  North 
Moreton,  Shillingford,  Shottesbrook. 

Perpendicular. — Ashbury^  Blewbury,  Bray  *,  Chieveley,  Compton  Beau- 
champ  *,  Denchworth  *,  Hagbourne,  Hurley  '"' ;  Readings  St.  Mary 
and  St.  Lawrence  * ;  Shalbourne,  Steventon,  Thatcham,  Wokingham, 
Yattendon. 

Buckinghamshire 

There  are  upwards  of  seventy  Norman  fonts  in  this  county. 
Those  of  Great  Kimble,  Little  Missenden,  Risborough  Priors,  and 
Bledlow  are  all  of  chalice  shape  and  grooved  ;  they  are  obviously 
done  by  the  same  workman  or  workmen.  The  circular  bowl  of 
Stone  is  rudely  sculptured  with  salamander  and  other  curious 
figures.  Stoke  Hammond  font  is  supported  by  four  detached 
shafts  and  a  central  stem.  There  are  a  few  good  instances  of  each 
of  the  three  Gothic  periods.  The  Early  English  fonts  are  plain 
examples.  The  heraldic  I4th-cent.  font  at  Drayton  Parsloe  is  of 
much  merit.  Leckhampstead  font,  of  late  I4th-cent.  date,  has 
curious  carvings  on  the  eight  panels,  two  of  them  representing  the 
Blessed  Virgin  and  St.  Katharine.  Simpson  gives  a  beautiful 
engraving  of  it. 

Nortnan. — Aylesbury  (late),  Castlethorpe,  Caversfield,  Chenies,  Cuddington 
Drayton  Beauchamp,  Grandborough,  Haddenham,  Hammond  Stoke, 
Hawridge  *,  Hitchenden,  Horton,  Hughenden,  Great  Kimble,  Oving, 
Pitstone,  Risborough  Priors  *,  Stoke  Goldington  *,  Stoke  Ham- 
mond, Stoke  Regis,  Stone  *  (formerly  at  Hampstead  Noons),  Stewkley, 
Turville  *,  Upton.  ^ 

Early  English. — Choulesbury  *,  Newton  Longueville,  RadclifFe,  Slapton  *, 
Weston  Underwood,  Whaddon. 

Decorated. — Astwood  *,  Cheddington,  Chilton  *,  Drayton  Parsloe  "",  Elles- 
borough,  Long  Crendon  *,  North  Marston  '^ ,  Waddesdon. 

Perpendicular. — Brickhill  Bow,  Ditton  *,  Leckhampstead,  Princes  Ris- 
borough, Wing  *. 

Ca  m  bridges  hire 

There  is  a  considerable  admixture  of  styles  and  periods  among 
the  fonts  of  this  county.  Among  the  best  may  be  named  the 
Norman  examples  of  St.  Peter's,  Cambridge,  and  Coton  ;  the  Early 
English  ones  of  Wentworth  and  Witcham  ;  the  Decorated  of  Kings- 
ton  and  Long  Stanton  ;  and  the  Perpendicular  of  Trumpington, 


i88        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Haddenham,  Isleham,  and  Stetchworth.  There  are  about  fifty  of 
this  last  period  ;  in  many  of  the  churches  there  are  plain  octagon 
fonts,  rather  difficult  to  date,  but  some  of  them  are  14th  cent. 

Simpson  illustrates  the  well-designed  I5th-cent.  font  of  Over, 
which  he  styles  "eminently  beautiful."  The  eight  panels  have 
shields  surmounted  by  cinquefoil  tracery,  and  the  mouldings  are 
enriched  with  squared  flowers.  Paley  illustrates  the  much  more 
elaborate  example  of  the  same  century  at  Leverington,  terming  it 
"magnificent,  singularly  rich  and  beautiful ; "  there  are  seated  figures 
in  the  eight  niches  of  the  bowl,  and  the  same  number  of  standing 
figures  round  the  shaft. 

Norman, — Arrington,  Cambridge  St.  Peter's  '^^  Coton  *,  Croydon,  Great 
Abington,  Great  Wilbraham  *,  Guilden  Morden,  Hinxton  *,  Melbourne, 
Oakington  (early),  Pampisford,  Shepreth  *,  Stuntney  *,  Thriplow, 
Wimpole. 

Early  English. — Barnwell,  Barrington,  Cherry  Hinton,  Doddington  *, 
Foxton,  Little  Abington,  Newton  *,  Oakington  *,  Orwell,  Wentworth  *j 
Westley  Waterless,  Whittlesford,  Wilburton,  Witcham  *. 

Decorated. — Chettisham  *,  Coveney,  Downham,  Fen  Drayton,  Kingston  *, 
Long  Stanton  All  Saints. 

Perpendicular. — Bartlow ;  Cambridge^  St.  Edward  *  and  St.  Mary  the 
Less  * ;  Carlton  *,  Caxton,  Haddenham  *,  Histon  *,  Isleham  *, 
Leverington  *,  March,  Newmarket  *,  Quy,  Stetchworth  *,  Swavesey  *, 
Trumpington  *,  Tydd  *,  Whaddon. 

Cheshire 

has  but  few  old  fonts.  Many  of  the  old  churches  have  been 
rebuilt,  or  modernized  at  evil  periods.  Moreover,  Puritanism 
assumed  a  specially  destructive  form  in  this  county  and  in 
Lancashire.  Of  the  few  old  fonts,  some  have  accidentally  come 
to  light  from  the  places  where  they  had  been  buried  to  escape 
malevolent  treatment  during  the  Commonwealth  period.  The 
Norman  font  of  Grappenhall  was  found  under  the  floor  in  1874. 
The  I4th-cent.  font  of  Alderley,  now  in  the  churchyard,  was 
disinterred  about  1830.  On  the  other  hand,  the  font  of  Wilmslow, 
of  the  same  century,  has  recently  been  banished  to  the  churchyard 
to  make  room  for  a  modern  successor.  The  I5th-cent.  font  of 
Sandbach  is  interesting  on  account  of  its  inscription,  which  has 
already  been  cited.  At  Woodchurch  is  a  good  octagonal  font  of 
Perpendicular  style,  having  four  shields  with  the  symbols  of  the 


FONTS  189 

Passion.  The  mediaeval  fonts  of  the  Hundred  of  Wirral  are  well 
illustrated  and  described  in  vol.  xvii.  of  the  Lancashire  and  Cheshire 
Historical  Society  s  Proceedings. 

The  county,  however,  possesses  by  far  the  oldest  font  at  present 
in  use  in  England,  namely,  that  of  Chester  cathedral,  brought 
in  recent  years  from  North  Italy.  It  is  a  beautiful  work  of  art,  and 
possibly  dates  from  the  8th  cent.  {Gloticester  and  Bristol  Archceo- 
logical  Society's  Transactions^  xi.). 

The  font  of  Marton  is  remarkable.  It  is  a  large  leaden 
four-sided  bason,  with  wooden  supports,  on  a  stone  base, 
and  enclosed  in  wood,  with  wood  and  iron  cover.  It  is  thus 
described  in  Mr.  Atkinson's  additions  (1893)  to  Sir  Stephen 
Glynne's  notes.  But  this  strange  and  incongruous  pretext  for  a 
font  must  be  modern,  for  Sir  Stephen  Glynne,  in  1853,  entered 
"the  font  a  plain  octagonal  bowl."  We  suppose  the  old  octagon 
font  was  swept  away  during  a  restoration  of  187 1.  It  would  not 
have  been  worth  while  noting  this  "  font "  in  any  way,  only  it 
has  more  than  once,  of  late  years,  been  blunderingly  added  to  the 
list  of  old  lead  fonts. 

Norman. — Bebington  (later  base),  Birkenhead  (fragment),  Burton, 
Eastham,  Grappenhall,  Mottram  (rude,  early),  Wallasey  *. 

Early  English. — Great  Budworth  *,  Prestbury. 

Decorated. — Alderley,  Tilston  ""*,  Wilmslow. 

Perpendicular. — Astbury,  Barthomley,  Davenham,  Gowsworth,  Marbury, 
Great  Nestor  (broken),  Over,  Sandbach  * ,  Shotwick,  Witton,  Wood- 
church  *,  Wybunbury. 


Cornwall 

is  emphatically  the  part  of  England  where  beautifully  designed 
Norman  fonts  abound.  To  attempt  to  describe  and  group  them 
after  a  thorough  fashion  would  require  a  volume.  Only  a  few 
remarks  can  be  here  offered. 

Paley  so  fully  recognized  the  merit  and  diversity  of  the  fonts 
of  this  county  that  he  gives  engravings  of  twelve,  viz.  (Norman) 
Boconnoc,  St.  Germans,  Lanreath,  Mevagissey,  and  Perranzabuloe ; 
(Transition)  Bodmin  and  St.  Cuthbert  ;  (Early  English)  Lanteglos 
and  Lostwithiel ;  and  (Perpendicular)  St.  Goran  and  St.  Neot. 

Dragons  or  salamanders  occur  on  several  of  the  Cornish 
fonts,  as  at  St.  Kea,   St.  Sampson,   Southill,  and  Luxulyan.     At 


I90        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Tintagel  serpents  twine  round  the  shafts  at  the  angles,  and  above 
them  are  crosses. 


MEVAGISSEY,    CORNWALL 


Two  of  the  good  series  of  Norman  fonts  in  the  south-east  of 
this  county  are  of  exceptionally  fine  and  unusual  design — those  of 


BODMIN,    CORNWALL 


St.    Stephen  and  of  Maker,  the  latter  of  which  was  brought  here 
from  St.  Merryn,  near  Padstow,  when  the  font  of  the  ruined  church 


FONTS  191 

of  St.  Constantine  obtained  shelter  at  St.  Merryn.  They  have 
squared  bowls  richly  ornamented  on  the  same  plan  as  that  of 
Bodmin.  The  cup-shaped  lower  part  of  the  bowl  is  supported  on 
a  circular  shaft,  but  four  detached  shafts  stand  at  the  angles,  with 
human  head  capitals  projecting  from  the  rim  of  the  bowl.  Cal- 
lington  and  Landrake  have  handsome  fonts  somewhat  resembhng 
the  two  first  mentioned  ;  the  bowls  are  squared  at  the  top  and 
have  human  heads  at  the  angles,  but  no  shafts  proceeding 
from  them.  There  are  other  fonts  of  this  plan  at  Alternon  and 
Southill.  Fowey  has  a  handsome  cup-shaped  Norman  font,  rather 
small  for  the  church,  which  is  strikingly  like  that  of  Bishopsteignton, 
Devon.  At  Lanteglos,  Lansallos,  St.  Cleer,  and  St.  Martin  are 
square  fonts  supported  on  five  shafts,  which  are  Late  Norman,  or, 
as  some  would  term  them.  Transition  ;  the  first  of  these  is  a 
particularly  good  example.  At  Lansallos  there  is  also  preserved 
half  of  an  early  round  Norman  font,  which  has  a  cable  moulding. 

The  material  of  the  Cornish  fonts  varies.  Granite,  though  so 
hard  to  work,  occurs  from  time  to  time.  This  is  the  material  of 
the  I5th-cent.  inscribed  font  of  Landewednack,  already  mentioned. 
Caen  stone  was  now  and  again  brought  over  the  seas. 

The  Cornish  church-builders  found  certain  material  to  hand  for 
some  of  their  better  designs,  which,  though  nearly  as  durable  as 
granite  and  impervious  to  their  often  salt-laden  atmosphere,  was 
more  easily  worked.  The  student  of  churches  of  the  north-east 
of  the  county  will  find  three  different  kinds  of  stone  of  the  locality 
thus  used — Catacleuse,  Polyphant,  and  Tintagel  green-stone. 

The  circular  font  of  the  church  of  Forrabury  is  of  green-stone. 
The  later  font  of  St.  Teath  is  also  of  that  material. 

The  close-textured  Polyphant  stone  is  found  on  the  moors 
between  Launceston  and  Bodmin.  The  bowl  of  the  font  of  the 
church  of  St.  Mabyn  is  of  Polyphant  stone,  and  in  the  same  church 
is  a  bracket  of  that  material. 

The  stone,  however,  which  is  more  commonly  used  for  enriched 
effects,  especially  of  doorways  and  their  spandrels,  comes  from  the 
Catacleuse  cliffs,  on  the  north  side  of  the  Trevose  headland  below 
Padstow.  It  is  a  dark  stone  of  exceeding  durability.  Carvings 
executed  in  this  material,  both  outside  and  inside  churches,  are 
often  as  fresh  in  their  details  as  when  cut  between  four  and  five 
centuries  ago.  The  nearest  church  to  these  cliffs  now  standing  is 
the  parish  church  of  St.  Merryn.     The  arcade  which  separates  the 


192        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

nave  from  the  south  aisle  consists  of  seven  four-centred  arches, 
which,  with  the  piers,  are  worked  throughout  in  Catacleuse  stone. 
They  have  of  recent  years  been  rightly  cleansed  from  the  paint 
that  disfigured  them.  The  font  is  a  beautiful  example  of  work  in 
this  stone.  It  rests  on  a  circular  shaft  and  on  four  small  octagonal 
pillars,  with  shield-bearing  angels  as  their  capitals;  figures, 
apparently  intended  for  the  Apostles,  occupy  niches  round  the 
bowl.  This  font  was  brought  here  about  fifty  years  ago  from  the 
ruined  small  church  of  St.  Constantine,  much  nearer  the  cliff.  The 
former  font  of  St.  Merryn  was  of  Caen  stone,  and  was  removed  at 
the  same  time  to  the  church  of  Maker.  The  font  of  St.  Breock  is 
also  of  Catacleuse  stone. 

In  an  interesting  paper  by  Dr.  Fryer  on  "  Transitional  Norman 
Fonts,"  which  appeared  in  the  Journal  of  the  British  Archaeological 
Association  of  1 901,  the  north-east  Cornwall  fonts  of  Alternon, 
Callington,  Jacobstow,  Landrake,  Laneast,  Launceston  (St. 
Thomas),  Lawhitton,  and  Warbstow,  are  grouped  together  and 
illustrated.  They  have  all  squared  bowls,  with  heads  at  the 
angles,  and  geometrical  circular  patterns  on  the  sides. 

Lostwithiel  font  is  sufficiently  remarkable  to  deserve  extended 
notice,  more  particularly  as  so  much  that  is  extravagant  and 
incorrect  has  been  written  about  it.  This  large  I4th-cent. 
octagonal  font  of  Pentewan  stone  has  a  diameter  of  33  inches, 
and  stands  47  inches  high.  The  bold  carvings  on  the  different 
faces  are  not  a  little  remarkable.  Facing  east  is  the  rood  with 
Sts.  Mary  and  John.  Next  comes,  in  bold  relief,  a  huntsman  on 
horseback,  with  horn  held  to  his  lips  by  his  right  hand,  and 
falcon  on  his  left  hand  ;  a  hound  precedes  the  horse.  The 
north  face  has  two  lions  passant.  Projecting  6  inches  from  the 
next  face  is  a  grotesque  human  head,  with  two  interlaced  snakes 
dependent  from  the  crown,  the  head  of  each  snake  being  just 
over  each  ear.  The  west  face  has  a  tracery  pattern  of  quatre- 
foils.  The  next  panel  has  the  figures  in  relief  of  two  quadrupeds  ; 
one,  perhaps  a  hound,  seizing  the  other  (.?  a  wolf)  by  the  hind- 
quarters ;  a  figure  above  these  is  much  mutilated,  but  is  possibly 
a  second  hound.  The  south  face  is  also  tracery-work,  chiefly 
quatrefoils.  The  eighth  face  represents  a  mitred  head,  which 
projects  4  inches  ;  from  the  ears  and  corners  of  the  mouth  proceeds 
foliage.  The  bowl  stands  on  five  shafts  with  channelled  mouldings. 
An  ingenious  explanation  has  been  offered  of  the  series  of  carvings 


or  -ME 
UM1VER£  n 

c    ""'     .^J       FONTS  193 

on  the  font  panels  as  denoting  the  outline  life  of  a  man  once  given 
up  to  worldly  lusts  and  pleasures  who,  by  the  power  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  was  changed  and  became  a  bishop  of  the  Church.  This  is 
creditable  to  the  ingenuity  of  the  inventor,  but  scarcely  probable. 
Hunting  scenes  are  often  found  on  early  fonts,  and  no  one  would 
have  regarded  such  a  pursuit  as  an  evil ;  but  that  there  is  an 
intentional  contrast  between  the  snake-entwined  head  listening  to 
all  the  suggestions  of  evil,  and  the  regenerated  mitred  head 
bringing  forth  the  fruit  of  good  works,  there  can  be  but  little 
doubt.  The  two  lions  passant  doubtlessly  betoken  the  arms  of 
the  donor  of  the  font  ;  but  such  a  charge,  especially  without  the 
tinctures,  is  difficult  to  identify,  for  it  was  borne  by  so  many 
families,  among  others  by  Carter  of  St.  Columb,  Cornwall. 

Saxon. — Lanteglos  (doubtful ;  in  rectory  garden). 

Norman. — Alternon^  St.  Austell  *  (Trans.),  Blisland,  Bodmin  *^  Boyton,  St. 
Breward,  Callington,  Camborne*,  St.  Clether,  St.  Cuthbert,  Eglo- 
shayle*  (Trans.),  Endellion,  St.  Enodoc  *,  St.  Erney,  St.  Feock, 
Forrabury  (Trans.),  St.  Gennys,  St.  Germans,  St.  Issey,  Lamorran, 
Landewednack  *  (Trans.),  Landrake,  Lanreath*,  Lansallos,  Laun- 
ceston,  St.  Mabyn,  Mevagissey,  St.  Michael,  Minster,  Perranza- 
buloe,  Roche,  Stratton,  Tintagel  *,  Trevalga,  St.  Tudy,  Warbstow, 
Whitstone. 

Early  English. — Botus  Fleming,  Bradock,  St.  Cleer,  Fowey,  St.  Kea, 
Landulph,  Lanteglos  *,  Linkinhorne,  Menheniot,  Minster,  Shevioc. 

Decorated. — St.  Breock,  Camborne,  Columb  Major  *,  Culmstock,  St.  Ives, 
St.  John,  Lostwithiel  *,  St.  Keyne,  St.  Merryn  (from  St.  Constantine), 
Morval,  Padstow,  Pillaton,  Rame,  Saltash,  Trevalga,  St.  Winnow. 

Ferpendiadar.—Wi^l^indj  Boconnoc,  Crantock  (1474),  Duloe,  St.  Gorran, 
St.  Gulval,  St.  Ive,  Lanlivery,  Michaelstow,  Mullion,  St.  Sampson, 
Talland,  St.  Veep,  Zennor. 


\ 


Cumberland, 

though  the  number  of  its   old   fonts   is  limited,  possesses  some 
early  instances  of  great  archaeological  value. 

The  square  font  of  Bridekirk  yields  to  none  in  all  England  in 
interest  and  artistic  merit.  It  was  beautifully  engraved  in  Lysons' 
history  of  the  county,  and  all  four  sides  are  well  illustrated  in 
Calverley's  Early  Sculptures  of  Cumberland  (1899).  On  one  side 
is  the  Baptism  of  Christ,  and  on  the  opposite  side  the  expulsion 
o 


194        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

of  Adam  and  Eve.  On  a  third  side  is  an  inscription  of  which 
particulars  have  been  already  set  forth. 

The  early  Norman  remarkable  fonts  of  Dearham  and  Torpenhow 
are  also  well  illustrated  and  described  in  Mr.  Calverley's  posthumous 
volume. 

The  late  I4th-cent.  font  at  Crosthwaite  had  its  elaborate  and 
curious  carvings  fully  described  in  the  Gentleman  s  Magazine  for 
1844.  It  bears  the  arms  of  Edward  III.  The  inscriptions  have 
been  already  set  out. 

The  octagonal  i5th-cent.  font  of  Millom  bears  the  arms  of 
Huddlestone  on  one  of  the  panels. 

Norman. — Aspatria*,  Bridekirk*,  Bowness,  Crosby-on-Eden,  Cross 
Canonby,  Dearham*,  Newton  Reigny,  Torpenhow,  Waberthwaite, 
Workington.* 

Early  English. — Harrington,  Whitbeck. 

Decorated. — Bootle,  Crosthwaite,  Eskdale. 

Ferpefidicular. — Millom. 


Derbyshire 

The  font  at  Wilne  made  from  a  Saxon  pillar  cross  has  already 
been  mentioned.  This  county  is  particularly  rich  in  Norman 
fonts,  and  has  a  few  fairly  good  ones  of  the  different  Gothic  periods. 
Three  of  the  Derbyshire  tub  fonts  may  safely  be  assigned  to  the 
I  ith  cent.,  namely,  those  of  Mellor,  Tissington,  and  Thorpe.  In 
the  last  case  the  sculpture  has  all  peeled  off  through  long  exposure 
in  the  churchyard  ;  the  two  others  have  hunting  scenes  rudely 
depicted.  There  is  a  good  group  of  later  tub  fonts,  characteristically 
ornamented,  at  Chesterfield  (early).  Church  Broughton,  Kirk  Hallam, 
and  Somershall  Herbert.  The  lead  font  at  Ashover  is  a  grand 
example  of  late  Norman  work  in  the  metal  for  which  the  county 
was  famed  from  the  earliest  days.  The  late  Norman  font  at  Youl- 
greave,  removed  here  from  the  chapelry  of  Elton,  with  its  projecting 
stoup,  has  already  been  discussed.  Mr.  G.  Le  Blanc  Smith  has 
some  admirable  well  illustrated  articles  on  the  Norman  fonts  of  the 
county  in  the  Journal  of  the  Derbyshire  Archceological  Society 
(vols,  xxv.-xxvii.). 

There  is  nothing  very  remarkable  about  the  Gothic  fonts  of  the 
county,  save  the   unusual  size   and   treatment  of  the    I4th-cent. 


THORPE   ARNOLD,   LEICESTERSHIRE 


ASHOVER,   DERBYSHIRE 


MELLOR,    DERBYSHIRE 


LENTON,   NOTTS 


FONTS  195 

example   at    Bakewell.      Muggington    is    of  the   highly  unusual 
hexagon  shape. 

The  late  Elizabethan  alabaster  octagonal  font  at  Risley  is 
noteworthy ;  it  has  the  arms  of  Willoughby  repeated  four  times. 

Pentrich,  though  a  Norman  font,  is  stamped  with  the  date  1662, 
which  implies  the  date  when  it  was  brought  back  into  the  church 
after  its  ejection  by  the  Puritans.  At  Wirksworth  is  one  of  the 
most  elaborate  instances  in  England  of  a  font  newly  made  in  1662. 

Paley  dealt  generously  with  Derbyshire  fonts,  giving  engravings 
of  those  of  Ashbourne,  Bradbourne,  Bradley,  Norbury,  and  Norton, 
all  of  which  are  Early  English. 

Saxon. — Wilne  (made  out  of  a  Saxon  pillar  cross). 

Norman. — Ashover  *,  Bradbourne,  Chesterfield,  Church  Broughton  *, 
Crich,  Darley,  Eyam,  Fenny  Bentley  (Trans.),  Haddon  Chapel, 
Hognaston,  Kirk  Hallam,  Longford,  Marston-on-Dove,  Melbourne, 
Mellor  *  (early),  Ockbrook,  Parwich,  Pentrich,  Pleasley  (Trans.), 
Somersal  Herbert  *,  Staveley,  Thorpe,  Tissington  *,  Winster  *, 
Wirksworth  (Trans.),  Youlgreave. 

Early  English. — Ashbourne,  Aston  *,  BartoniBlount,  Bradbourne,  Bradley, 
Doveridge,  Foremark,  Norbury  *,  Norton  *. 

Decorated. — Bakewell  *,  Elvaston,  Mugginton,  Sandiacre  *  (late),  West 
Hallam. 

Perpendicular. — Bonsall,  Brailsford,  Chelmorton*,  Horsley*,  Longstone, 
Monyash,  Radbourne,  Taddington. 


Devonshire 

is  celebrated  for  the  number  and  variety  of  its  Norman  fonts. 
There  are  ninety-five  extant,  fifteen  of  which  are  circular,  and  the 
remainder  cubical  or  squared.  Paley  engraves  four  examples, 
namely,  Alphington,  Hartland,  Plympton,  and  Stoke  Canon. 

Out  of  twenty-five  old  churches  of  North  Devon,  in  that  in- 
teresting triangle  of  the  county  of  which  Bideford,  Hartland,  and 
Torrington  form  the  angles,  although  late  1 5th-cent.  work  strongly 
predominates  in  the  fabrics,  seven  of  the  fonts  are  Norman  of  varied 
characteristics.  The  font  at  Hartland  is  a  good  example :  the 
upper  part,  which  is  ornamented  with  interesting  arcade  work,  is 
square  ;  the  base  has  a  cable  moulding,  and  is  also  channelled  with 
a  chevron  pattern.  The  font  at  Weir  Gifford  is  also  square,  and 
resembles  the  cushioned  capital  of  a  pier.     The  font  of  the  little 


196        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

church  of  West  Putford  has  a  rude-shaped  bowl  almost  oval,  but 
the  cable  moulding  points  to  a  Norman  date ;  it  was  probably,  in 
its  origin,  of  village  workmanship.  The  fonts  of  Buckworthy  and 
Lancross  have  also  cable  mouldings.  The  font  of  Abbotsham 
church  is  chalice-shaped,  but  there  is  the  cable  moulding  round 
the  top  of  the  bowl,  as  well  as  round  the  top  and  bottom  of  the 
base  shaft  ;  it  is  of  late  Norman  date.  The  more  beautiful 
examples  of  the  period  are  in  South  Devon. 

The  instances  of  13th  and  I4th-cent.  fonts  in  this  county  are 
singularly  few. 

In  the  15th  cent,  as  stone-dressing  appliances  became  more 
skilled,  granite  was  largely  used  in  the  church  fabrics  of  North 
Devon  as  well  as  in  Cornwall.  Here  and  there  this  durable  stone 
was  brought  into  use  for  fonts.  In  the  district  first  named  granite 
is  used  for  I5th-cent.  fonts  at  Littleham,  Sutcombe,  Langtree,  and 
Milton  Damerel.  The  large  octagon  font  of  Langtree  is  well 
moulded  and  carved  considering  the  hardness  of  the  material ;  it 
is  divided  into  panels,  on  one  of  which  is  the  Agnus  Dei^  on 
another  a  Latin  cross,  and  simple  conventional  patterns  on  the 
remainder.  At  Plympton  St. Mary,  in  the  south  of  the  county,  the 
octagonal  granite  font  is  of  effective  though  simple  design  and 
well  moulded.  The  eight  panels  bear  shields  in  quatrefoils,  and 
the  slender  octagonal  shaft  is  panelled  with  trefoil  heads. 

The  Gentleman's  Magazine  for  1835  has  an  extraordinary 
account  of  a  quasi  font  that  used  to  be  in  the  church  of  St.  Edmund- 
on-the-Bridge,  Exeter,  which  had  at  that  date  been  recently  taken 
down.  "  The  modern  font,  which  resembled  an  apothecary's  mortar, 
was  drawn  up,  when  not  used,  to  the  brestsummer  of  the  west 
gallery." 

Norman, — Abbotsham,  Alphington,  Ashington,  Ashprington,  Bare  Ferrers, 
Berry  Narbor,  Bideford,  Bishopsteignton,  Blackawton,  South  Brent, 
Buckfastleigh,  Clawton,  Chariton,  Chudlaigh,  Clovally,  Colyton 
Rawleigb,  Crediton  Bishop,  Daan  Prior,  Drewsteignton,  Dunkaswall, 
Ermington,  Exatar  St.  Mary  Steps,  Farringdon,  Hartland,  Holbaton, 
Honiton  Clyst,  Huxam,  Laddiswall,  Liistlaigh,  Maristow*,  South 
Molton,  South  Pool,  East  Rutford,  Rattary,  Sampford  Pevarel,  Stoke 
Canon,  Tawstock,  Tatcote,  Ugborough,  Wear  GifFord,  Woolborough, 
Woolfardisworthy. 

Early  English. — Coffinswell. 

Decorated, — Lamerton,  Meavy,  Sheepstor_,  Woodland. 


i 


GREAT   KIMBLE,    BUCKS 


BISHOPSTEINGTON,   S.  DEVON 


ALPHINGTON,   S.  DEVON 


YOULGREAVE,   DERBYSHIRE 


FONTS 


197 


Perpendicular. — Bigbury,  Buckland  Monachorum,  Clyst  St.  George,  Dod- 
discombsleigh,  Dunsford,  North  Moulton,  Ottery  St.  Mary,  Petrock- 
stow,  Plympton  St.  Mary,  East  Teignmouth,  Totnes,  Yealmpton. 

Dorsetshire, 

like  other  counties  of  the  west,  has  a  considerable  number  of 
Norman  fonts  ;  there  are  few  good  ones  of  the  Early  English 
period,  and  a  large  number  of  the  15th  cent.  Paley  illustrates  the 
handsomely  ornamented  late  Norman  circular  font  of  West  Chel- 
borough.  Pimperne  is  a  good  example  of  the  cup-shaped  font. 
Toller  Fratrum  has  the  bowl  covered  with  sculptured  figures. 
Loders  has  a  square  Norman  bowl  of 
Purbeck  marble.  Wareham  has  its 
iith-cent.  leaden  font  mounted  on  an 
octagonal  base  of  the  same  local 
marble. 

Purbeck  marble,  as  might  be  sup- 
posed, is  the  material  of  various  of  the 
fonts,  as  at  Gussage  All  Saints,  Down- 
ton,  and  Mappowder,  and  also  the  fine 
late  Norman  example  at  Whitchurch 
Canonicorum,  the  Early  English  ex- 
ample of  Cranborne,  and  in  the  later 
instance  at  Sherborne. 

The  font  of  Puddletown  is  highly 
singular  and  beautifully  wrought  ;  it 
is  beaker- shaped,  and  carved  through- 
out with  vine-leaved  trellis  work. 

The  rich  late  Perpendicular  font  of  Bradford  Abbas  is  well 
illustrated  by  Paley.  It  is  supported  by  a  central  panelled  shaft 
and  by  a  square  buttress  <at  each  corner.  There  are  niches  in  these 
buttresses ;  three  of  them  have  bishops,  and  the  fourth  the  Agnus 
Dei  on  a  book.     It  may  safely  be  described  as  of  unique  design. 


PUDDLETOWN,    DORSET 


Norman. — AfTpuddle,  Askerswell,  Bincombe,  Bare  Regis  *,  Broad  Windsor, 
Chalden  Herring  (early),  Chelborough,  Gillingham,  Gussage  All 
Saints  (Trans.),  Loders,  Marnhull,  Pimperne  *,  North  Porton,  Partis- 
ham,  Preston,  Pulham  *,  Toller  Fratrum,  Turners  Puddle,  Wareham, 
Warmwell,  Whitscombe,  Winterborne  Abbas,  Winterborne  St.  Martin, 
Whitchurch  Canonicorum. 


T98        ENGLISH   CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Early  jS«^/w/^.— Burton-Bradstock,  Great  Cawford,  Cranborne  *,  Fifehidc 
Neville,  Puddletown,  Shillingston,  Wotton  Glanville  *. 

Decorated.— '^Xa&oxd.  West,  Stoke  Gayland. 

Perpendicular. — Bradford  Abbas,  Bridport,  Corfe  Castle,  Fordington, 
Hooke,  Langton  Herring,  Shaftesbury,  Sherborne,  Winterborne 
Came,  Winterborne  Whitchurch,  Winterborne  Zebston,  Wool. 


Durham 

has  but  a  small  display  of  old  fonts.  Winston,  the  best  of 
the  Norman  examples,  is  curiously  sculptured  with  dragons. 
Darlington  has  a  I3th-cent.  font.  The  I4th-cent.  font  of  Brance- 
peth  is  surmounted  by  a  canopy,  the  gift  of  Bishop  Cosin.  The 
I5th-cent.  octagonal  font  of  Hart  is  a  very  fine  one  ;  it  is  adorned 
with  the  sculptured  figures  of  the  Evangelists  and  other  saints. 

Norman. — AyclifFe,  Durham  St.  Giles,  Easington,  Escombe  *,  Pittington, 

Winston  '^ ,  Witton-le-Wear. 
Early  English. — Darlington  *. 
Decorated. — Brancepeth  '^,  Dalton. 
Perpe7idicular. — Barnard  Castle,  Hart  *,  Heighington,  Sedgefield,  Staindrop. 


Essex 

The  square  late  Norman  font  of  Fryerning  is  beautifully  carved 
in  slight  relief,  two  with  foliage,  a  third  with  croslets,  and  the 
fourth  with  stars  and  crescents.  Hadleigh  has  an  octagon  bowl 
on  a  bold  moulding  of  circular  plan  sculptured  with  trefoil  leaves. 
The  plain  octagon  font  at  Blackmore  is  of  Purbeck  marble  ;  Buckler 
considers  it  Norman,  but  this  is  doubtful.  Writtle,  of  the  same 
period,  is  square,  with  columns  at  the  angles.  The  large  square 
Norman  font  of  grey  marble  at  Fyfield  is  well  carved ;  it  is 
engraved  by  Suckling. 

The  severely  plain  octagon  font  at  Stock  is  either  Early 
English  or  Transitional.  It  is  engraved  in  the  Suckling  Papers. 
There  is  another  plain  octagonal  font  at  Mountnessing,  also 
engraved  by  Suckling,  which  is  probably  Early  English. 

The  graceful  font  of  Boreham  is  of  the  time  of  Edward  I. 

Paley  considered  the  I5th-cent.  fonts  of  Margaretting  and  South 
Ockendon  sufficiently  good  to  merit  engraving,  and  they  are  also 
illustrated  in  Buckler's  Essex  Churches.     But  the  finest  and  most 


FONTS  19$ 

elaborate  font  of  that  period  in  the  county  is  the  one  of  St. 
Martin's,  Colchester.  Saffron  Walden  font,  of  Ketton  stone,  is 
engraved  by  Paley. 

Norman. — Aveley,  Little  Chesterford,  Eastwood,  Elmdon,  Farnham,  Fryer- 

ning,  Fyfield  *,  Hadleigh,  Mount  Fitchet,  North  Ockendon,  Rainham, 

Little  Wakering,  Wicken  Bonant,  Writtle. 
Early  English. — Hadleigh  *,  Mountnessing,  Stanford-le-Hope  *,  Shopland  *, 

Stifford,  Stock,  North  Shoebury,  Thunderley,  Woodham  Ferris. 
Decorated. — Boreham,  Bulphan,  Childerditch,  Finchingfield  *,  Ingatestone. 
Perpendicular. — Althorne ;  Colchester,  St.  Martin ;  North  Fambridge,  St. 

Leonard,    Longton*,    Margaretting,    South   Ockendon,    Orsett,    St. 

Osyth,    Saffron   Walden*,    Shenfield   (late),   Thaxted*,   Upminster, 

Willingale  Doe,  Willingale  Spain. 


Gloucestershire 

has  a  fair  number  of  interesting  Norman  fonts,  as  well  as  one 
which  has  every  claim  to  be  considered  Saxon,  as  already  stated. 
The  divergent  spiral  ornaments  of  the  Deerhurst  font  point  to  a 
pre-Norman  date,  even  if  there  were  no  other  arguments  to  be 
deduced.  The  broken  portions  of  this  font  have  been  cleverly 
restored. 

The  font  of  Tidenham  is  of  Early  Norman  date,  prior  to  iioo. 
Leckhampton  font  is  also  early  in  the  same  period.  Westerleigh 
is  one  of  the  best  Norman  fonts  in  the  county ;  it  is  engraved  by 
Paley ;  the  bowl  has  the  general  form  of  a  square  capital  with  the 
sides  ornamented  in  low  relief  with  geometrical  patterns.  The 
plain  Norman  font  of  St.  Philip's,  Bristol,  also  appears  in  Paley. 
Thornbury  is  an  interesting  specimen  of  the  beginning  of  the  Early 
English  style  ;  Hempstead  of  the  same  period  is  curiously  carved. 
Elkstone  is  a  handsome  example  of  the  close  of  the  14th  cent. 
The  best  I5th-cent.  font,  of  a  plain  description,  is  that  of  Yate  ; 
the  bowl  is  panelled  with  eight  quatrefoils  with  rose  centres ;  the 
shaft  is  also  octagonal  and  panelled. 

A  correspondent  of  the  Gentleman^ s  Magazine  describing 
Cirencester  church,  as  seen  in  1749,  says — 

"  Here  is  a  stone  pulpit  and  two  fonts ;  an  old  one  of  stone  standing 
upon  a  pillar,  and  a  new  one  of  marble,  erected  by  the  contribution  of 
several  gentlemen  of  that  town,  which  is  constantly  used." 


200       ENGLISH   CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Saxon. — Deerhurst  *. 

Norman. — Bristol  St.  Philip's*,  Berkeley  *,  Cheriton,  Eastington,  Frampton- 

on-Severn,  Hanham,  Haresfield,  Lancaut,  Leckhampton,  Newnham, 

Southdrop,  Tidenham,  Westerleigh,  Welford  *. 
Early  English. — Hempstead  *,  Ozleworth,  Pucklechurch  *,  Thornbury  *. 
Decorated. — Charlton  Kings,  Elkstone  *,  Staunton. 
Perpendimlar. — Fairford^  Old  Yate  *,  Saltwood. 


Hampshire 

This  county  has  an  exceptionally  large  supply  of  Norman  and 
Transitional  fonts.  In  addition  to  the  four  noble  examples  of 
black  Belgium  marble  at  Winchester  cathedral,  St.  Michael's, 
Southampton,  East  Meon,  and  St.  Mary  Bourne,  there  are  a 
considerable  number  of  fonts  made  of  Purbeck  marble.  Among 
the  latter  may  be  named  the  Norman  fonts  of  Bighton,  Bramley, 
Brockenhurst,  Colemore,  Mottisfont,  Ovington,  and  Stockbridge ; 
the  I3th-cent.  example  at  King's  Somborne,  with  eight  small 
shafts ;  two  others  at  Kingsclere  and  Meonstoke,  c.  1200 ; 
and  one  of  the  14th  cent,  at  Heckfield.  The  Norman  fonts  of 
Porchester,  Minster,  and  Walford  have  figure  sculptures  ;  the  first 
of  these  is  most  noteworthy,  and  has  on  one  side  the  Baptism  of 
our  Lord. 

There  are  comparatively  few  fonts  of  the  various  Gothic  periods 
and  none  of  particular  note.  Kingsworthy,  however,  is  a  beautiful 
font,  temp.  Edward  III.  Each  of  the  eight  panels  is  sculptured 
with  a  different  form  of  tracery.  There  is  a  good  engraving  in 
Paley's  Fonts. 

The  only  other  Hampshire  font  engraved  by  Paley  is  that  of 
Penton,  which  is  well  described  as  "  a  good  and  pleasing  example 
of  late  Decorated  work."  Each  of  the  eight  compartments  of  the 
bowl  are  doubly  panelled,  with  foliated  trefoil  arches  in  the  heads. 

Saxon. — Boarhunt,  South  Hayling. 

Noi-man. — Bentley,  Bighton  *,  Botley,  Bourne  St.  Mary  *,  Bramley,  Bracken- 
hurst,  Bursledon,  Chalford,  Colemore,  Crondall,  Goodworth  Clasford, 
•  Hurstbourne  Priors,  Kingsley,  Knights  Enham,  Leckford,  Lickenholt, 
East  Meon,  Meonstoke  (Trans.),  Minstead,  Mottisfont,  Mottiston,  I. 
of  Wight;  Niton,  I.  of  Wight;  Ovington,  Porchester*,  Sherborne, 
St.  John;  Southampton,  St.  Michael*;  Stockbridge,  Stoke  Charity, 
Stratfield  Sturgis,  Winchester  cathedral  *,  Winchfield. 


•m 


CASTLE   FROME,   HEREFORDSHIRE 


FONTS  20I 

Early    English. — Bentworth  *,     Bramshaw,     Empshott,     Fordingbridge ; 

Freshwater,  I.  of  Wight ;  South  Hayling,  Hound  *,  Kingsclere,  Kings 

Somborne  *,  Littleton,  Michelmersh,  Odiham  *. 
Decorated. — Bramshott,  Hartley  Mauditt,  Heckfield,  Kingsworthy,  Penton*, 

Romsey,  Silchester,  Upton  Grey^  Yateley. 
Perpendicular. — Basing,  Brightstone,  I.  of  Wight;  Overton. 


Herefordshire 

has  a  considerable  number  of  Norman  fonts,  of  which  those  of 
the  cathedral  and  Canon  Pyon  are  among  the  earliest  and  most 
interesting.  The  Apostles  are  carved  round  the  large  bowl  of  the 
Norman  font  of  Eardisley.  The  font  at  Kenchester  is  supposed 
by  some  to  be  cut  out  of  a  Roman  column.  At  Shobden  the  font 
is  supported  by  the  four  Evangelistic  symbols. 

The  font  at  Kilpeck,  said  to  be  like  those  of  Bredwardine 
and  Madeley,  was  thus  described  in  the  Gentleman  s  Magazine  in 
1833- 

"  The  font  is  a  huge  circular  bason  of  granite,  4  feet  in  diameter,  set  on 
a  cylindrical  column  10  feet  in  circumference;  the  height  of  the  whole  is 
3  feet.  A  small  inner  bason,  serving  as  a  plug  to  the  larger  bason,  is 
sculptured  to  resemble  basket  work." 

The  most  noteworthy  font  of  the  county  is  that  of  Castle 
Frome.  This  Early  Norman  font  shows  the  symbols  of  the 
Evangelists,  which  very  rarely  appear  on  sculpture  of  that  date. 
The  scene  of  the  Baptism  of  Christ  (illustrated  in  Mr.  Romilly 
Allen's  work  on  Early  Christian  Symbolism)  is  vividly  portrayed 
after  a  striking  fiashion.  Christ  stands  in  a  kind  of  whirlpool  of 
water  represented  by  a  series  of  circular  lines,  and  has  two  fish  on 
each  side  of  Him.  The  heavily  moustached  Baptist  has  a  maniple 
on  the  right  arm.  The  Manus  Dei  of  the  First  Person  of  the 
Trinity  appears  giving  the  benediction,  and  the  Third  as  the  Dove 
hovering  over  Christ's  head. 

Saxon. — Bosbury. 

Norman. — Bredwardine,  Brinsop,  Bromyard,  Canon  Pyon  *,  Castle  Frome  *, 
Eardisley  *,  Eye,  Hereford  cathedral.  Little  Hereford,  Hope  Mansell, 
Kenchester  *,  Kilpeck,  Madeley,  Middleton  *,  Moccas,  Much  Marcle, 
Orleton  *,  Peter  Church,  Rowlstone,  Shobdon,  Stretton  Sugwas, 
Thuxton. 


202        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Early  English. — Bosbury,  Lingen. 
Decorated. — Fownhope. 
Perpendicular. — Walford . 


Hertfordshire 

is  not  particularly  famed  for  its  fonts,  though  it  has  some   fair 
examples  of  each  period. 

Wormley  is  an  unusual  form  of  Norman  font ;  there  is  a  bold 
dignity  about  the  band  of  conventional  foliage  round  the  upper 
part  of  the  bowl,  as  shown  in  the  plate  reproduced  from  the  East 
Herts  A  rchcBo logical  Society  s  Transactions  for  1901.  Sandridge, 
figured  in  Paley,  is  a  good  example  of  a  Norman  cylindrical  font ; 
it  is  surrounded  with  interlaced  arcading,  above  which  is  the 
saw-tooth  ornament.  The  Norman  font  of  Sarratt  is  of  Purbeck 
marble.  The  early  square  Norman  font  of  Hendon  is  of  unusually 
large  proportions.  Aldenham  is  illustrated  by  Paley  as  a  good 
but  plain  example  of  Early  English  ;  it  is  of  Purbeck  marble  ;  the 
square  bowl  is  supported  by  a  central  pillar,  with  shafts  at  the 
angles.  Abbots  Langley  octagonal  font  is  illustrated  in  the  same 
work  as  an  interesting  late  example  of  Decorated.  The  sides  are 
panelled  with  quatrefoils,  four  of  them  being  occupied  with  the 
Evangelistic  symbols.  Parker  illustrates  the  fine  I4th-cent.  font 
of  O^Qy.  The  best  I5th-cent.  font  of  the  county  is  at  Ware  ;  it  is 
of  the  time  of  Henry  IV.,  and  has  sculptured  on  the  panels  in 
high  relief,  the  Blessed  Virgin,  St.  Gabriel,  St.  John  Baptist, 
St.  Christopher  and  Holy  Child,  St.  George,  St.  Margaret,  St. 
Katharine,  and  St.  Thomas. 

Norman. — Anstey*,  Baldock  (Trans.),  Bishops  Stortford  (Trans.),  East 
Stoke,  Harpenden,  Hendon,  Sandridge  *,  Sarratt,  Thorley,  Warmley  * 
(Trans.). 

Early  English. — Aldenham*,  Datchworth,  Gilston,  Sawbridgeworth, 
Standon,  Stevenage,  Thurley. 

Decorated. — Abbots  Langley  (late),  Hitchin  *. 

Perpendicular. — Hunsdon,  Offley  *,  Therfield,  Ware  *. 

Huntingdonshire 

This  small  county  has  many  plain  examples  of  Norman  fonts, 
as  well  as  a  few  of  more  particular  merit  and  of  varied  design. 
Broughton  has  a  square  bowl,  with  shallow  arcading.     Holywell  is 


WORMLKY,    HERTS 


FONTS  203 

octagonal,  and  stands  on  small  plain  shafts.  St.  Ives  is  octagonal, 
panelled  with  an  interesting  arcade. 

Stibbington,  of  Transition  Norman  date,  is  well  illustrated  by 
Paley.  It  is  of  massive  octagonal  form,  and  has  a  semicircular 
headed  arch  on  each  face,  springing  from  slender  shafts  at  the 
angles.  It  is  supported  by  a  central  pillar,  and  by  eight  small 
round  shafts ;  the  bases  of  the  latter  appear  to  have  been  renewed 
late  in  the  15th  cent. 

The  Early  English  font  of  Huntingdon  St.  Mary  has  a  plain 
octagonal  bowl,  but  the  pedestal  has  a  fine  cluster  of  circular 
shafts.  Stainground  is  another  very  good  specimen  of  this  style  ; 
it  is  also  supported  by  a  cluster  of  shafts. 

There  is  a  good  Decorated  font  at  Little  Stukeley,  with  quatre- 
foils  on  the  bowl  and  foliage  beneath.  The  font  at  Hamerton  is  a 
fine  example  of  Perpendicular ;  the  bowl  is  richly  panelled,  and 
the  pedestal  is  raised  on  steps.  Glatton  is  another  good  instance 
of  this  style. 

Norman. — Brington,  Broughton  *,  Bury '"'  (Trans.),  Bythorne,  Holywell,  St. 
Ives,  Keystone,  Ramsey,  Stibbington,  Upton  '^  (Trans.). 

Early  English. — Flatten  *,  Huntingdon  St.  Mary  '\  Old  Hurst,  Stain- 
ground  *,  Warboys,  Wistow. 

Decorated. — Little  Stukeley  *,  Water  Newton  ''^ 

Perpendicular. — Bluntisham,  Buckden,  Fen  Standon '"',  Glatton  '"*,  Hamer- 
ton *,  Heddenham,  St.  Neots. 


Kent 

is  an  interesting  county  in  the  diversity  of  its  fonts.  There  are  a 
large  number  of  Norman  and  I5th-cent.  examples,  whilst  the  two 
intervening  periods  are  well  represented. 

Next  to  the  font  of  St.  Martin's,  Canterbury,  to  which  reference 
has  already  been  made,  the  most  remarkable  of  the  early  fonts  of 
the  county  is  that  of  Darenth.  It  was  described,  with  some  detail, 
in  the  Gentleman's  Magazine  as  long  ago  as  1827,  and  again  ten 
years  later.  This  fine  piece  of  early  Norman  sculpture  has  eight 
subjects  under  semicircular  arcades,  and  is  well  illustrated  in 
Mr.  Romilly  Allen's  Early  Christian  Symbolism.  David  playing 
the  harp  and  the  rite  of  baptism  are  two  of  the  incidents. 

In  two  cases  the  fonts  are  of  black  marble,  namely,  Bromley 
and  Woodchurch.     Brookland,  one  of  the  examples  in  lead,  has 


204        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

the  signs  of  the  Zodiac.  Several  of  the  later  Norman  examples 
have  the  four  small  shafts  round  the  central  shaft  forming  the  base, 
and  it  is  difficult  in  some  cases  whether  to  call  them  late  Norman, 
Transitional,  or  Early  English. 

The  I3th-cent.  font  of  St.  George's,  Canterbury,  is  unique; 
eight  tall  detached  shafts,  with  well-moulded  capitals  and  bases, 
in  addition  to  a  larger  central  shaft,  hold  up  a  perfectly  plain 
shallow  octagon  bowl ;  the  smaller  shafts  stand  out  beyond  the 
bowl,  which  is  only  supported  by  half  of  the  capitals.  This  font 
is  engraved  by  Rickman. 

The  octagonal  I5th-cent.  font  of  St.  Mildred,  Canterbury,  is  of 
Bethenden  marble,  and  has  roses  and  the  monogram  I.H.C.  on 
alternate  panels.  The  fine  octagonal  font  at  Heme  was  beautifully 
engraved  by  Simpson  ;  the  panels  of  the  bowl  bear  an  interesting 
series  of  heraldic  shields,  and  the  shaft  is  richly  traceried. 

Farningham,  Shorne,  and  Southfleet  are  Seven  Sacrament 
fonts,  as  already  mentioned. 

Saxon. — Canterbury,  St.  Martin's  (lower  part). 

Norman. — Adisham,  Brabourne,  Brookland,  Bromley ;  Canterbury,  St. 
Peter  ''^ ;  Chalk,  Darenth  '"',  Dover  St.  Mary,  Elmstone,  Footscray, 
Fordwich,  Gillingham  *,  High  Halden,  Molash,  Newenden  *,  Oare, 
Ospringe,  West  Peckham. 

Early  English. — Ashurst,  Biddenden,  Burham,  Bridington;  Canterbury, 
St.  George,  St.  Margaret,  St.  Mary  Magdalen;  Elmstead,  Hinxhill, 
Luddesdown,  Orpington,  Preston,  Stourmouth,  Sevington,  SwaleclifFe, 
Swanscombe,  Ulcombe,  Wrotham. 

Decorated.— Qohhdsn  '\  Farborough,  Hawkhurst  '\  Hythe  *,  Kennington, 
East  Langdon,  Lenham,  Mersham,  Rolvenden,  Sandhurst  ""*. 

Perpendicular. — Appledon,  Ashford,  Brakesbourne ;  Canterbury,  St.  Alphage 
and  St.  Mildred;  Cowden,  Eynesford,  Egerton  *,  Eastby,  Farning- 
ham *,  Frindsbury,  Gillingham,  Headcorn  *,  Heme  *,  Horsmonden, 
Ightham,  Langley,  Margate,  Maidstone,  Milton,  Newington,  Ottram, 
Sandwich  St.  Mary,  Sevenoaks,  Shorne  "",  Southfleet,  Staple,  Wester- 
ham,  Wye. 

Lancashire, 

for  much  the  same  reason  as  Cheshire,  makes,  for  its  size,  a  poor 
display  of  old  fonts.  There  is  interesting  early  Norman  sculpture 
round  the  fonts  of  Walton-on-the-Hill  and  Kirkby,  both  near 
Liverpool.      Each   is   described    and    illustrated    in    Mr.    Romilly 


FONTS  205 

Allen's  work  on  Symbolism.  The  former  is  much  mutilated,  having 
for  many  years  served  as  a  horse-block  at  a  public-house  adjoining 
the  church  ;  one  of  the  most  distinct  subjects  is  Christ  riding  into 
Jerusalem.  In  two  adjacent  arcades  on  the  Kirkby  font  the 
subject  is  the  Temptation  of  Adam  and  Eve. 

There  are  several  interesting  I5th-cent.  fonts  in  the  county. 
Colne  has  the  symbols  of  the  Passion,  and  Chipping  the  initial 
letters  of  the  Latin  version  of  the  Angelic  Salutation. 

There  is  a  good  illustrated  article  on  the  mediaeval  fonts  of 
the  Hundred  of  West  Derby,  in  vol.  xviii.  of  the  Proceedings  of 
the  Lancashire  and  Cheshire  Historical  Society, 

In  the  wholly  modernized  Lancashire  church  of  Padiham,  the 
old  font  presented  in  1525  by  John  Paslew,  last  abbot  of  Whalley, 
and  bearing  his  arms,  is  still  preserved.  It  may  here  be  mentioned 
that  another  interesting  Lancashire  font,  that  of  Altham,  was  also 
the  gift  of  the  same  abbot.  On  the  sides  of  the  bowl  of  this  latter 
font,  are  the  letters  A.12.,  M.R.,  S.M.,  and  I.H.C.,  alternating  with 
symbols  of  the  Passion. 

The  Lancashire  font  of  Dalton-in-Furness  bears  the  arms  of 
Furness  Abbey. . 

Norman. — Broughton-in-Furness,  Formby,  Goosnergh,  Huyton,  Kirkby  *, 
Walton-on-the-Hill  *,  Warton. 

Early  English. — Chorley. 

Decorated. — Altcar,  Furness,  Halsall  (fragments),  Ribchester,  Wigan 
(rectory  garden),  Winwick. 

Ferpefidicular. — Altham  *,  Aughton^  Burnley,  Chipping  '^,  Colne  '^,  Dalton- 
in-Furness,  Deane,  Haslingden,  Heysham,  Huyton,  Maghull,  Middle- 
ton,  Padiham,  Prestwich,  Sefton,  Stalham  *,  Standish,  Stidd,  Walton, 
Whalley. 

Leicestershire 

has  a  considerable  variety  of  Norman  fonts,  and  some  good 
examples  of  the  first  two  Gothic  periods,  particularly  of  the  13th 
cent. 

Of  the  Norman  fonts,  Sapcote,  as  illustrated  by  Simpson,  had 
a  beautifully  sculptured  bowl  of  unusual  design.  The  cylindrical 
font  of  Rothley,  illustrated  by  Paley,  has  an  effective  but  simple 
chevron  pattern  covering  the  whole  of  the  bowl.  Thorpe  Arnold 
early  font  has  some  rude  figure  carving,  including  the  combat 
between  St.  Michael  and  the  dragon ;  it  is  engraved  by  Simpson. 


2o6        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

The  late  Transition  font  of  Stonesby,  also  illustrated  by  Paley,  is 
an  interesting  example  of  octagonal  interlaced  arcading. 

The  square  Norman  bowl,  well  sculptured,  of  Ashby  Folville 
font,  c.  1 1 60,  is  illustrated  by  Rickman. 

The  vicissitudes  of  the  I3th-cent.  font  of  Scraptoft  are  chronicled 
in  the  Gentleman! s  Magazine  of  1844,  by  one  J.  F. — 

"  Its  fontj  which  I  found  embedded  in  nettles,  was  turned  out  of  the 
church  to  make  way  for  a  ridiculous  wash-hand  bason-looking  thing  on  a 
high  stone  pedestal.  The  old  font  was  placed  by  a  western  wall,  and 
served  the  villagers  for  many  a  year  as  a  cistern.  It  was  lately  removed 
from  its  exposed  situation  and  placed  in  the  belfry,  where  it  now  remains, 
a  receptacle  for  ropes  and  rubbish.  It  is  of  Early  EngUsh  character,  and 
mouldings  are  very  sharp  and  nearly  perfect." 

The  dog-tooth  ornament  appears  at  Burrough,  not  only  between 
the  grouped  shafts  of  the  stem  of  the  font,  but  round  the  edge  of 
the  octagonal  step,  a  most  unusual  feature.  Waltham-on-the-Wolds 
also  shows  the  dog-tooth  on  the  font  stem,  and  interlaced  arcading' 
round  the  octagonal  bowl.  The  same  moulding  is  on  the  angles 
of  the  cubical  font  of  Twyford.  These  three  Early  English  fonts, 
as  well  as  the  handsome  example  of  All  Saints,  Leicester,  are  all 
figured  by  Simpson. 

Paley  draws  largely  on  Leicestershire  for  his  comparatively 
few  engravings  of  Decorated  fonts,  giving  the  four  very  different 
examples  of  Goadley  Marwood,  Ratby,  Stoke  Golding,  and  Whit- 
wick.  Figures  on  I4th-cent.  fonts  are  most  exceptional,  but  on 
the  sides  of  Stoke  Golding  font,  under  crocketed  canopies,  are 
representations  of  St.  Katharine,  St.  Margaret,  and  other  saints. 
Noseley  font,  with  its  handsome  tracery,  is  illustrated  by  Simpson. 

Norman. — Arnsby*,  Ashby  Folville,  Billesdon  (Trans.),  Braunston,  Bring- 
hurst,  Caldwall  *,  Desford,  Earls  Shilton,  Foxton,  Hangerton, 
Kilworth,  Lockington  *,  Peckleton,  Rothley  *,  Sapcote  '^  (Trans.), 
Stonesby  *  (Trans.),  Thorpe  Arnold  *,  Titton,  Waltham-on-the-Wolds 
(Trans.). 

Early  English. — Barrow  -  on  -  the  -  Hill,  Beeley,  Belgrave,  Burrough  *, 
Evington,  Gaddesby,  Hallaton ;  Leicester,  All  Saints  "^  and  St. 
Mary  * ;  Rearsby  '^,  Scraptoft,  Thurnby,  Twyford  *,  Waltham-on-the 
Wolds  *. 

Decorated. — Bredon,  Goadley  Marwood  *,  Market  Bosworth,  Noseley  *, 
Ratby  '',  Stoke  Golding  *,  Whitwick  *,  Wyfordby. 

Perpendicular. — Great  Bowden,  Breedon. 


ASHBOURNE,   DERBYSHIRE 


BARROW-ON-THE-HILF.,  LEICESTERSHIRE 


WALTHAM-ON-THE-WOLDS, 
LEICESTERSHIRE 


BAKEWELL,    DERBYSHIRE 


FONTS 


Lincoln 


207 


has  a  very  fine  variety  of  fonts,  both  of  Norman  and  Gothic  types. 
Among  the  Norman  types  special  mention  should  be  made  of  the 
early  one  at  Belton,  with  rude  human  and  other  figures  ;  several 
of  them  are  ecclesiastics,  whilst  in  one  compartment  a  man  rings 
two  bells,  and  in  another  a  headsman  and  a  hangman  are  laying 
hold  of  a  culprit.  At  Stow  there  is  a  great  octagon  font  resting 
on  eight  shafts.  The  Transition  font  of  Edenham  has  eight  shafts 
of  Purbeck  marble.  The  Transition  fonts  of  Lincoln  Minster  and 
Thornton  Curtis  are  both  of  black  marble,  and  are  remarkably 
carved.  Barnetby,  late  Norman,  is  of  lead  with  three  bands  of 
scroll-work. 

West  Deeping  has  a  fine  Early  English  shaft,  and  a  later 
octagon  bowl  with  heraldic  shields. 

Among  I4th-cent.  fonts,  there  are  some  of  exceptional  design. 
Such  are  Barrowby,  of  elaborate  tracery,  which  has  a  triple  monster 
curiously  enclosed  in  its  hollow  stem  ;  Grantham,  with  a  series  of 
sculptures  representing  the  Annunciation,  Nativity,  Circumcision, 
Baptism,  Blessing  of  Children,  Transfiguration,  Sacrifice  of  Isaac 
and  the  Three  Kings  (the  stem  and  base  are  15  th  cent.,  and  steps 
and  lofty  cover  modern) ;  and  Stixwold,  whose  eight  faces  bear 
the  symbols  of  the  four  Evangelists,  alternating  with  the  first  four 
months  of  the  year,  with  the  names  in  black  letter  above. 

Seven  of  the  Lincolnshire  fonts  bear  inscriptions  (see  Suffolk 
fonts),  which  have  been  already  recorded,  viz.  Bourne,  Bradley, 
Dunsby,  Quadring,  South  Ormsby,  Threckingham,  and  Wold 
Newton. 

Both  Simpson  and  Paley  are  generous  in  their  treatment  of  the 
fonts  of  this  county.  The  former  illustrates,  Norman,  Osbournby, 
Belton,  Aswardby,  and  Helpringham  ;  Early  English,  Weston, 
Threckingham,  and  West  Deeping  ;  Decorated,  Swaynton,  Knaith, 
Heckington,  Horbling,  Haydor,  and  Carlton  Scroope ;  and  Per- 
pendicular^  Great  Hale,  Fosdyke,  and  Bourne. 

Paley  illustrates.  Early  English,  Thurlby,  Weston,  and  Thorpe  ; 
Decorated,  Strubby,  Maltby-le-Marsh,  Bradley,  and  Ewerby ;  and 
Perpendictilar,  North  Somercotes,  Covenham  St.  Mary,  Bourne, 
and  Pinchbeck. 

The  early  I5th-cent.  font  of  Huttoft  is  a  good  example  of 
profusion  of  I5th-cent.  carving.     The  bowl  is  octagonal  and  the 


2o8        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

panels  are  filled  with  figures  representing  the  Holy  Trinity,  the 
Blessed  Virgin  and  Child,  and  the  Twelve  Apostles,  two  and  two. 
On  the  octagonal  shaft  are  eight  figures  under  niches,  one  of  which 
is  hopelessly  mutilated  ;  others  are  probably  St.  Gregory,  St. 
Guthlac,  St.  Ethelburga,  St.  Richard  of  Chichester,  St.  Mary 
Magdalen,  and  St.  Paul.  The  base  is  supported  by  four  large 
figures  of  the  Evangelistic  symbols. 

Norman. — Ancaster  *,  Annaby,  Aswardby  *,  Aunsby,  Barnetby-le-Wold  *, 
Barnoldby,  Belton*,  Boothby  Pagnal,  Braceborough  *,  Cabourn  '^, 
Cadney  *,  Clee  *,  Coleby,  Cuxwold,  Deeping  St.  James  *,  Edenham 
(Trans.),  Fulbeck  *,  Houghton-le-Clay,  Lincoln  cathedral  (Trans.), 
Scartho,  Stow  *,  Thornton  Curtis  *  (Trans.),  West  Torrington,  Silk 
Willoughby  *,  Wytham-on-Hill  (Trans.). 

Early  English. — Belton-by-Grantham  *,  Bottesford,  West  Deeping  *, 
Greetwell,  Grimsby  *,  Helpringham,  Hibaidstow  *,  Hough,  Sibsey  '^, 
South  Somercotes  "\  Tallington,  Thorpe  St.  Peter  *,  Threckingham, 
Thurlby  '\  Walcot  *,  Weston  *. 

Decorated. — Asgarby,  Barrowby  *,  Bitchfield  *,  Bradley ''%  Caythorp,  Colster- 
worth  (base  N.),  Claypole,  Ewerby  *,  Gonerby  *,  Grantham  *, 
Harlaxton  '^,  Heckington  '^,  Ingoldmells  *,  Kilby,  Knaith  *,  Maltby  *, 
Sleaford,  Somerby,  Stixwold  *,  Strubby  *,  Swaynton,  Tallington, 
Wold  Newton. 

Pei'pendicular.  —  Ashby-cum-Fenby,  Blyborough,  Blyton,  Bourne  *, 
Broughton  Brant,  Burwell;  Covenham,  St.  Mary,  St.  Bartholomew  j 
Carlton  Scroope  *,  Dounsby  *,  Enderby  Bag,  Evedon,  Fosdyke  *,  Grant- 
ham, Haydor,  Harrington  *,  Horbling,  Huttoft  *,  ELniton  *,  Market 
Deeping,  Pinchbeck,  Quadring,  Rauceby  *,  Ropsley  *,  Stanton  All 
Saints  *,  Stixwold  *,  Surfleet,  Theddlethorpe,  Wilsford  *. 

Middlesex 
makes  but  a  poor  display  of  fonts  ;  it  will  suffice  to  enumerate  the 
chief  examples. 

Norman, — Harlington,  Harrow,  Hayes,  Hendon. 

Early  English. — South  Mimms,  Ruislip. 

Perpendicular. — West  Drayton  *,  Hornsey,  Monken  Hadley,  Pinner. 

Monmouthshire 
has  a  few  good  Norman  examples,  of  which  the  following  may  be 
named :    Grosmont,   Llanellan   (converted   into  sundial  pedestal), 
Llanhilleth,    Llanllowell  *,    Michaelstone-y-Vedw  *,    Overmonnow, 
Staunton,  Whitson  *.     The  font  at  Chepstow  is  15th  cent. 


HUTTOFT,   LINCOLNSHIRE 


FONTS  209 


Norfolk 

IS  justly  famed  for  its  fonts.  There  are  some  general  remarks  on 
the  late  East  Anglian  fonts  under  Suffolk. 

The  Norman  fonts  are  numerous.  Two  highly  remarkable 
ones,  with  square  bowls  and  standing  on  four  legs,  occur  at 
Burnham  Deepdale  and  Fincham.  Both  are  carved  with  human 
figures.  They  are  discussed  in  Mr.  Romilly  Allen's  Early  Christian 
Symbolism,  and  admirably  illustrated  in  vol.  ii.  of  Victoria  History 
of  Norfolk.  The  former  one  has  figures  representative  of  the 
months.  The  Fincham  font  has  three  arcades  on  each  of  the 
sides.  Beneath  them  are  figures  illustrative  of  (i)  Adam  and 
Eve  and  the  Temptation,  of  (2)  the  Nativity,  of  (3)  the  Magi,  and 
of  (4)  the  Baptism  of  Christ.  The  font  at  Sculthorpe,  which  is 
also  square  in  the  bowl,  has  the  Adoration  of  the  Magi  on  the 
east  face,  but  the  other  faces  have  geometrical  patterns.  The 
square  Norman  font  of  Breccles  is  rudely  carved,  and  bears  the 
four  Evangelists.  Toftrees,  Shernburn,  South  Wootton,  and  Castle 
Rising  form  another  group  of  noteworthy  square-bowled  fonts  with 
figured  heads ;  whilst  Laxham,  Stody,  and  Letheringsett  have 
Norman  fonts  of  Purbeck  marble,  supported  on  low  pillars.  Paley 
illustrates  two  other  examples  of  this  last  class,  namely,  those 
of  Hunstanton  and  Heckingham  ;  he  also  gives  an  engraving  of 
Belaugh  (Transition),  which  stands  on  five  shafts. 

There  is  a  good  illustrated  article  on  the  Norman  fonts  of 
North- West  Norfolk  in  the  Reliquary  and  Illustrated  Archcsologisty 
vol.  ix. 

There  are  various  good  instances  of  Early  English  fonts,  but 
none  of  special  note,  save  those  of  Great  Snoring,  Antingham, 
and  Walcote,  which  are  of  Purbeck  marble.  The  I4th-cent.  fonts 
are  somewhat  more  numerous  and  distinguished.  Four  of  these 
are  illustrated  by  Paley,  namely,  those  of  Ditchingham,  Postwick, 
and  All  Saints  and  St.  Gregory,  Norwich. 

The  Perpendicular  fonts  are  one  of  the  leading  features  of  the 
ecclesiology  of  the  county.  They  are  very  numerous,  and  only 
the  more  important  are  named  in  the  subjoined  list.  These 
i5th-cent.  fonts  include  sixteen  of  those  that  bear  the  Seven 
Sacraments,  which  have  been  already  enumerated.  Several  show 
symbols  of  the  Passion  on  the  bowl  panels,  as  at  Blakeney  ;  others 
those  of  the  Evangelists,  of  which  there  are  a  variety  of  examples  ; 


2IO        ENGLISH   CHURCH    FURNITURE 

whilst  in  a  few  cases  the  Passion  and  Evangelistic  symbols  appear 
alternately,  as  at  Aylsham,  Great  Denham,  and  Salthouse.  The 
list  of  font  inscriptions  shows  that  several  occur  in  this  county. 

Rickman,  in  his  illustration  of  fonts,  draws  all  his  examples 
of  i5th-cent.  work  from  this  county,  namely,  Wymondham,  East 
Dereham,  and  Worstead  with  tabernacled  cover.  The  last  two 
are  instances  in  which  the  font  steps  or  risers  are  ornamented  with 
quatrefoils. 

At  Gooderstone,  a  precise  date  can  be  assigned  to  the  hand- 
some octagonal  font ;  Peter  Flote,  vicar,  left  40s.  in  the  year  1446 
for  a  new  font. 

Norman. — Belaugh  (Trans.),  Little  Bittering,  Burnham  Deepdale '"',  Burn- 
ham  Norton,  Breccias  *,  Castle  Rising,  Colkirk,  Drayton,  Frettenham, 
Fincham  '^,  Heckingham,  Horsford,  Hunstanton,  Ingoldesthorpe  '^, 
Langham,  Letheringsett,  Lingwood,  Sculthorpe  *,  Sedgefield,  Shere- 
ford,  Shernborne,  Little  Snoring,  Southacre,  Stody,  Toftrees, 
Wanderford,  Wareham  AH  Saints,  Wareham  St.  Mary's,  South 
Wootton  '\ 

Early  English — Antingham,  East  Bilney,  West  Bradenham,  Crostwight, 
Horsning,  Ingham,  Ormesby  St.  Michael,  Ridlington,  Scatlow, 
Great  Snoring,  Thorington,  Tessingham,  Walcott  *. 

Decorated. — Blickling,  Bradfield*,  Brinton,  Calthorpe,  Ditchingham  *,  Elsing, 
Felbright,  Hevingham,  Ludham,  Mautby ;  Norwich,  All  Saints  and 
St.  Gregory;  Ovington,  Postwick,  Runton,  Roughton,  Shelfanger, 
Sheringham,  Terrington  St.  Clements,  Trunch. 

Perpendicular. — Aylsham,  Blakeney,  Blofield,  Castledon,  Catfield,  Down- 
ham  Market,  Edingthorpe,  Fakenham,  Great  Dunham,  Happisburgh, 
Hemsby,  Hoo,  Irstead ;  Norwich,  St.  John  and  St.  Saviour ;  Merton, 
Needham,  Ruston,  Salhouse,  Swanton  Novers,  Strumpshaw,  Thelveton, 
Upton,  Walsingham,  Walsoken,  Westwick,  Worstead,  Wymondham, 
Yaxham.' 

Northamptonshire 

has  many  beautiful  fonts,  including  the  Saxon  instance  at  Little 
Billing  (engraved  by  Paley)  already  named,  and  a  variety  of 
Norman  examples.  Simpson  engraved  the  interesting  font  of 
Wansford ;  the  circular  bowl  has  twelve  arcades,  beneath  ten 
of  which  there  are  figures.  The  square  block  of  stone  that  forms 
the  font  at  West  H addon  has  figure  sculptures  round  the  top. 
Both  of  these  are  adequately  discussed  in  Mr.  Rom  illy  Allen's 
Early  Christian  Symbolism. 


LITTLE  WALSINGHAM,   NORFOLK 


FONTS  211 

In  Simpson's  volume  are  excellent  engravings  of  the  hand- 
somely ornamented  cylindrical  bowls  of  Greens  Norton  and 
Paulerspury.  Paley  illustrates  the  early  cubical  font  at  Aston- 
le- Walls,  sculptured  with  foliage  and  geometrical  patterns ;  the 
handsomely  carved  circular  bowls  of  Dodford  and  Eydon,  and 
the  quaintly  carved  one  of  East  Haddon,  which  is  supposed  to 
represent  the  conquest  of  Baptism  over  the  powers  of  evil. 

There  are  an  unusual  number  of  good  Decorated  fonts  ;  Parker 
takes  Stanwick  as  the  example  of  that  period  in  his  Glossary, 
Barnack,  Irchester,  Hardwick,  and  Kingscliffe  are  four  of  the 
best  instances  in  the  county  of  I3th-cent.  fonts  ;  the  first  of  these 
is  engraved  by  Simpson,  and  the  last  three  by  Paley.  Rickman 
also  gives  engravings  of  St.  Peter's,  Northampton,  c,  1320,  and  of 
Cotterstock,  ^.1350. 

Pitsford  is  selected  by  Paley  as  a  Northamptonshire  example 
of  the  14th  cent.  ;  comment  has  previously  been  offered  on  the 
projection  from  the  rim  of  the  bowl. 

Ufford  is  given  by  Paley,  and  Broughton  and  Towcester  by 
Simpson,  as  instances  of  I5th-cent.  fonts.  Ufford  has  a  good 
example  of  a  coeval  "  kneeling  stone "  for  the  font ;  but  such 
constructions  are  really  standing  stones,  to  give  the  priest  greater 
height ;  the  celebrant  at  Baptism  should  not  kneel. 

The  fonts  of  Great  Addington,  Crick,  Cold  Ashby,  Finedon, 
West  Haddon,  Irthlingborough,  Raunds,  Rushden,  Stanwick, 
Thornby,  and  Woodford  are  all  engraved  in  the  architectural 
volume  on  the  Archdeaconry  of  Northampton,  published  in  1849. 

Saxon, — Little  Billing. 

iVb^/?2^//.—Aston-le- Walls,  Ellsworth,  Braybrook  *,  Cold  Ashby,  Dodford  *, 
Eydon  '\  Finedon,  Gayton,  Glinton,  Greens  Norton  *,  East  Haddon, 
West  Haddon,  Harpole,  Hinton,  Kings  Sutton,  Naseby  "^',  Great 
Oxendon,  Paulerspury,  Spratton,  Syresham,  Thornby '^  Wansford*, 
Woodford  *. 

Early  English. — Great  Addington,  Barnack  *,  Bainton,  Brington,  Cogenhoe, 
Corby,  Crick,  Croughton,  Dallington,  Hannington,  Hardwick  *, 
Higham  Ferrers,  Irchester  *,  Kingscliffe  *,  Laxton,  Polebrook, 
Raunds,  Winwick,  Wadenhoe. 

Decorated. — Lutton,  Nassington  j  Northampton,  St.  Peter's  ;  Peakirk,  Pilton 
(early),  Pitsford,  Rushden,  Scaldwell,  Sibbertoft,  Stamford  Baron, 
Stanwick,  Sutton,  Tansor. 

Perpe7idicular, — Broughton  *,  Bugbrooke,  Colly  Weston,  Easton-an-the- 
Hill,  Fotheringhay,  Glapthorn,  Kislingbury,  Marston  Trussell,  Middle- 
ton  Cheney,  Preston  Capes*,  Tiffield,  Towcester*,  Ufford*. 


212        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


Northum  berland 

has  but  a  poor  display  of  mediaeval  fonts,  for  most  of  the  ancient 
churches  have  been  mutilated  or  modernized.  Chollerton  and 
Haydon  are  instances  of  Roman  altars  reversed,  and  turned  into  a 
Christian  font.  The  circular  bowl  of  the  Early  English  font  of 
Hexham  is  supported  by  a  squared  central  shaft  with  dog-tooth 
mouldings  and  by  four  smaller  round  shafts  ;  it  is  engraved  by 
Rickman. 

Normafi.—^^^ei\  St.  Peter,  Rock,  Shilbottle. 

Early  English. — Chollerton  *,  Edlingham,  Hexham  *. 

Perpendicular, — Newcastle,  St.  Nicholas. 


Nottinghamshire 

has  a  varied  series  of  fonts,  but  only  a  few  of  any  special  excellence. 
Among  Norman  fonts,  it  possesses  one  famous  example,  which  is 
literally  incomparable,  for  there  is  not  another  known  example  that 
in  any  close  way  resembles  it.  The  cubical  Norman  font  of  Lenton 
measures  2  feet  lo  inches  by  2  feet  6  inches,  and  stands  (exclusive 
of  modern  pedestal)  2  feet  6  inches  high.  The  interior  of  the  bowl, 
which  is  hollowed  in  quatrefoil  shape,  is  i8  inches  deep,  and  the 
top  is  ornamented  with  foliage,  after  the  fashion  of  those  in  the 
west  of  England  of  Belgian  marble.  There  are  shafts  at  the  angles 
and  a  beautifully  designed  strip  of  ornament  below  the  margin. 
On  one  of  the  narrower  sides  is  the  Crucifixion,  the  arms  of  the 
large  cross  foliated.  The  scene  is  most  curiously  represented. 
There  are  censing  angels  at  the  upper  corners,  and  the  Manus  Dei 
appears  on  the  cross  just  above  the  head  of  our  Lord,  who  is 
represented  with  a  cruciform  nimbus.  The  two  thieves  are  shown 
on  much  smaller  crosses  ;  the  soul  of  the  good  thief  (a  tiny  little 
human  figure)  is  shown  going  up  to  heaven,  whilst  the  soul  of  the 
evil  one  is  plunging  into  hell,  represented  as  usual  by  the  open 
mouth  of  a  ravenous  serpent.  The  opposite  side  of  the  font 
simply  bears  a  large  foliated  cross.  One  of  the  two  longer  sides 
is  divided  into  four  compartments  by  another  cross.  The  two 
upper  compartments  represent  the  raising  of  Lazarus  after  a 
realistic  fashion  ;  the  details  and  the  grouping  of  so  many  figures 
in  a  small  space  are  most  ingeniously  worked.     Lazarus  is  lying 


FONTS  213 

down  in  a  stone  coffin  swathed  in  grave  clothes  ;  at  each  end  is  an 
attendant  raising  the  lid  ;  above  is  our  Lord  (with  cross  nimbus), 
having  His  right  hand  raised  in  benediction  and  holding  a  book  in 
the  left ;  whilst  Martha  and  Mary  stand  close  to  the  Saviour.  The 
scene  in  the  other  compartment  seems  to  be  the  wonder  of  the 
multitude  when  they  see  Lazarus  coming  to  life.  Below  is  depicted 
the  Three  Maries  at  the  Sepulchre.  The  front  side  of  the  font, 
which  is  the  most  remarkable,  is  divided  by  arcade  work  into 
eleven  compartments,  six  in  the  upper  row  and  five  in  the  lower. 
In  the  centre  of  the  lower  line,  two  of  the  arcades  are  thrown  into 
one  to  give  greater  space,  and  here  is  the  representation  of  the 
Baptism  of  our  Lord.  Christ  is  shown  standing  in  the  water  up  to 
the  middle  with  hands  uplifted  in  prayer,  the  Mamcs  Dei  appears 
from  the  clouds,  and  the  Baptist  places  his  hand  round  His  waist. 
The  other  compartments  on  this  side  are  all  filled  with  adoring 
angels  and  demi-angels.  Mr.  Le  Blanc  Smith  supplies  an  excel- 
lent photograph  of  the  most  important  side.  This  font  is  well 
engraved  by  Paley,  and  the  subjects  of  the  carvings  are  critically 
discussed  in  Early  Christian  Symbolism^  and  admirably  illustrated 
in  outline  by  Mr.  Romilly  Allen. 

There  is  another  noble  late  Norman  font  of  a  totally  different 
character  at  Screveton. 

Among  the  few  Early  English  fonts,  the  one  at  Wysall,  c.  1 200, 
should  be  named.  Edwalton  font,  of  exceptional  trough-like  shape, 
appears  to  belong  to  this  period.  The  early  I4th-cent.  font  at 
Balderton  is  ornamented  with  the  characteristic  ball-flower  mould- 
ing, so  very  seldom  seen  on  fonts.  The  well-executed  I5th-cent. 
octagonal  font,  with  traceried  panels,  bears  the  oft-repeated  Greek 
inscription,  mentioned  previously,  which  can  be  read  either  back- 
wards or  forwards  ;  it  is  admirably  engraved  by  Simpson. 

The  font  of  Thorpe-by-Newark  is  a  curious  composition.  The 
base  stone  is  part  of  an  old  font  step  ;  on  that  stands  part  of  a 
moulded  I4th-cent.  shaft ;  the  shaft  is  crowned  with  a  holy-water 
stoup,  1 1  inches  deep,  6  inches  wide,  and  14  inches  in  diameter. 
This  is  crowned  by  a  domed  i/th-cent.  cover,  and  into  the  apex  of 
this  there  has  recently  been  screwed  a  brass  candle-socket ! 

Norman. — Beckingham,  Bilsthorpe,  Bingham,  Calve rton  (fragment),  Car 
Colston,  Edingley,  Epperstone,  Finningley,  Flawborough,  Halam, 
Keyworth,  Kirklington,  Lenton  *,  Screveton  *'*,  Stanton-on-Wold, 
Thoroton,  Wellow,  Winkburn,  Woodborough. 


214        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Early  English. — Beeston,  Bramcote  *,  Edwalton  (trough),  Elton,  Farndon, 

Farnsfield,  Kneeton,  East  Leake,  Wysall. 
Decorated. — Balderton  *    (ball-flower),     Barton    (late),    Cropwell    Bishop, 

Gotham,  Halam,  Normanton-on-Soar,    Ratcliffe-on-Soar,    Stapleford, 

Strelley,  Sutton  Bonnington  St.  Michael,   Sutton  St.  Mary*,  Upper 

Broughton  (base  modern). 
Perpendicular. — Flintham  (late),  Granby  (Richard  IL),  Hickling,  Holme 

Pierrepoint ;  Nottingham,  St.  Mary ;  Owthorpe  *,  Wollaton. 


Oxfordshire 

has  a  few  good  font  examples  of  each  period.  Only  two  need  be 
named  of  the  Norman  period — Hook  Norton,  which  is  circular  and 
is  carved  with  figures,  and  Iffley,  which  has  a  square  bowl  of 
unusually  large  size  supported  on  a  central  pillar  and  four  shafts  at 
the  angles. 

The  county  is  fortunate  in  having  had  several  of  its  best  Gothic 
fonts,  of  the  three  periods,  well  engraved.  Of  the  Early  English 
style,  Paley  illustrates  the  lead  font  of  Warborough,  and  the 
interesting  cubical  font  of  Rotherfield  Greys,  with  shafts  at  the 
angles  ;  and  Parker  the  one  at  St.  Giles,  Oxford,  with  dog-tooth 
mouldings  between  the  shafts  on  the  sides  of  the  bowl.  Rickman 
gives  engravings  of  two  I4th-cent.  fonts — Shiplake,  c.  1320,  and 
Bloxham,  c,  1350.  Paley  also  supplies  two  of  the  15th  cent, 
namely,  the  beautiful  but  simple  example  at  Minster  Lovell,  with 
hexagon  bowl,  and  the  more  elaborate  instance  at  Stanton 
Harcourt.  Simpson  gives  a  choice  engraving  of  the  excellent  font 
of  St.  Mary  Magdalen,  Oxford,  which  is  known  to  be  of  the  year 
1337. 

Norman. — Albury,    Brad  well,   Chesterton,    Easington,    Hook    Norton  *, 

Iffley  *,  Kelmscot,  Lewknor ;  Oxford,  St.  Peter ;  Shilton,  Westwell. 
Early  English.— Aston  Rowant,  Enstone  * ;  Oxford,  St.  Giles  * ;  Rotherfield 

Greys  '*,  Thame,  Wootton. 
Decorated. — Chinnor,  Chipping  Norton  *,  Fritwell,  Kidlington  *,  Nuffield ; 

Oxford,  St.  Mary  Magdalen  ^^  \  Tadmarton,  Wroxton. 
Perpendicular. — Ambrosden,  Bloxham,  Burford  *,  Clanfield,  Deddington, 

Ewelme  *,  Great  Tew,  Handborough,  Minster  Lovell  '^ ;  Oxford,  St. 

Aldates  *  and  St.  Mary  Magdalen  3  Stanton  Harcourt  *,  Taynton. 


FONTS  215 


Rutland 

has  several  good  fonts.  The  most  noteworthy  are  those  of 
Cottesmore  (Norman),  Tickencote  (Early  English),  and  Exton 
(Decorated). 

Paley  illustrates  the  excellent  example  of  a  I4th-cent.  font  at 
Exton,  and  considers  it  "  beautiful  even  in  a  style  remarkable  for 
its  beauty."  The  form  is  an  octagon  without  any  shaft.  The  sides 
are  arcaded  with  trefoil-headed  ogee  arches  having  crocketed 
finials  ;  between*  these  are  heads,  alternately  male  and  female, 
supporting  the  angles  of  the  octagon. 

Norman, — Brooke,   Great   Casterton  (Trans.)  *,  Clipsham,  Cottesmore  *, 

Edith  Weston,  Manton,  Market  Overton,  Oakham. 
Early  English. — Belton,  Greetham,  Ryhall,  Seaton,  Tickencote  *. 
Decorated. — Caldecot,  Exton  *,  Ketton,  Langham. 
Perpendicular, — Burley. 


Shropshire 

is  well  supplied  with  mediaeval  fonts,  particularly  of  the  Norman 
period.  Every  font,  as  well  as  other  details,  finds  its  place  in  the 
Rev.  D.  H.  S.  Cranage's  fine  series  of  volumes,  now  almost  com- 
pleted, on  the  churches  of  this  county.  In  those  papers  several  of 
the  more  important  examples  are  illustrated. 

Paley  gives  an  engraving  of  the  Early  English  font  of  Acton 
Burnell,  "  remarkable  for  the  beauty  and  simplicity  of  its  style." 
It  is  octagonal,  and  is  3  feet  4  inches  high,  and  stands  on  a  single 
squared  step.  On  each  side  is  a  trefoil-headed  niche  with  shafts  at 
the  angles. 

Norman. — Adderley  *,  Aston,  Berrington  *,  Billingsley,  Bitterley  *,  Bur- 
warton,  Claverley,  Great  Dawley,  Eaton  Constantine,  Edgmond  *, 
Harley,  Hodnet*,  Holdgate*,  Lilleshall*,  Linley*,  Lydbury,  Morville, 
Neen  Savage,  Orleton,  Quatford,  Quatt,  Shawbury;  Shrewsbury, 
St.  Giles ;  Stottesden  *,  Upton  Cressett,  Yarpole. 

Early  English. — Abdon,  Acton  Burnell  *,  Bromfield,  Cleobury  Mortimer, 
Little  Dawley,  Lucton  *,  Selattyn,  Stokesay. 

Decorated. — Bridgnorth,  Clun,  Longford,  Norbury,  Stoke  St.  Milborough. 

Perpendicular. — Burford  (early),  Church  Stretton,  Uppington,  Wistanstow, 
Worfield. 


2i6        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


Somersetshire 

This  large  county  has  many  good  examples  of  fonts,  particularly 
of  the  Norman  period.  The  14th  cent,  is  poorly  represented,  but 
the  contrary  is  the  case  with  the  succeeding  century. 

Of  Norman  fonts,  Paley  engraves  an  excellent,  enriched,  and 
curious  early  example  from  the  church  of  Locking.  It  is  of  cubical 
shape,  and  rests  on  a  plain  cylindrical  shaft.  The  quaint  feature 
of  the  carving  is  that  there  are  figures  at  each  angle  which  extend 
their  arms  backwards  on  the  sides  of  the  bowl,  the  tips  of  the 
fingers  just  meeting,  and  thus  dividing  each  face  into  two  equal 
parts.  The  sides  are  ornamented  in  various  ways  ;  one  side  has 
the  chevron  moulding,  and  another  a  most  interesting  form  of 
intertwined  and  ornamented  serpents.  This  is  one  of  those  few 
fonts  that  may  safely  be  termed  unique. 

The  inscription  on  the  font  of  Lullington  is  given  elsewhere. 
This  font  is  a  singularly  fine  specimen  of  enriched  Norman.  The 
bowl  is  enriched  with  interlaced  arcading,  whilst  at  the  top  there  is 
a  band  of  masks.  Portbury  and  Portishead  share  with  Locking  in 
the  exceptional  feature  of  having  the  interior  of  the  bowls  cut 
square.  Biddiston  is  tub-shaped,  and  sculptured  with  the  chevron 
moulding. 

The  Early  English  font  of  Tickenham,  of  a  rather  unusual 
character,  has  a  square  bowl  supported  by  a  central  and  four 
subsidiary  shafts  ;  each  side  is  ornamented  with  a  pointed  trefoiled 
arch  rising  from  the  capitals  of  the  angle  shafts.  It  is  illustrated 
by  Paley.  Rickman  illustrates  a  later  example,  c,  1230,  from 
Wellow,  the  octagonal  grooved  bowl  rests  on  a  circular  stem 
surrounded  by  eight  semi-detached  small  shafts. 

Orchardleigh  is  a  beautiful  and  uncommon  example  of 
advanced  I4th-cent.  work.  This  cup-shaped  font  has  the  bowl 
surrounded  by  three  raised  bands  ornamented  with  foliage  and 
heads.  The  middle  band  is  interrupted  by  four  sunk  sexfoil 
medallions  or  panels  ;  in  one  of  these  is  a  figure  of  our  Lord  in 
Majesty,  one  is  vacant,  and  the  other  two  have  the  Virgin  and 
child  differently  represented.     It  is  engraved  by  Paley. 

Paley  also  gives  engravings  of  the  richly  carved  Seven  Sacra- 
ments font,  c.  1460,  at  Nettlecombe,  and  of  the  handsome  example 
of  the  same  century  at  Axbridge,  the  octagonal  bowl  of  which  is 
held  up  by  demi-angels  of  unusually  large  proportions. 


FONTS  217 

In  West  Somerset  there  are  various  good  examples  of  15th- 
cent.  fonts,  two  of  which  cannot  well  be  passed  over  without  brief 
mention.  The  font  at  Crowcombe,  in  the  Quantocks,  is  richly 
carved ;  the  subjects  on  the  bowl  panels,  hitherto  misread,  are 
(i)  Christ  enthroned  ;  (2)  a  civilian  kneeling  in  prayer ;  (3)  a 
bishop  giving  the  benediction  ;  (4)  a  king  enthroned  ;  (5)  a  founder 
bishop,  with  crozier  and  model  of  a  church  ;  (6)  St.  Anne  teaching 
the  Blessed  Virgin  ;  (7)  the  angel  appearing  to  Zachariah  at  the 
altar  ;  and  (8)  a  lady  kneeling  in  prayer.  Numbers  two  and  eight, 
obviously  representing  the  font  donors,  both  kneel  towards  the 
Christ.  Minehead  font  is  also  elaborately  carved  ;  the  niched 
octagonal  shaft  has  small  figures  of  the  Evangelists  and  the  four 
Doctors  of  the  Church. 

Norman. — Biddiston,  West  Buckland,  St.  Catherine,  Charlcorull,  Chester- 
blade,  Cudworth,  Culbone,  Farleigh  Hungerford,  Hanbury  *,  Isle 
Abbots  *,  Leigh-on-Mendip,  Locking  *,  Lullington,  Milverton,  Monck- 
lon  Farley,  Pen  Selwood,  East  Pennard,  Portbury,  Portishead, 
Selworthy,  Stoke  Coursley,  Swanswick,  Tiverton,  Winsford  *,  Withy- 
combe,  Withypool. 

Early  English. — Banwell,  Cutcombe,  Cheddar,  Chewton  Mendip,  Fresh- 
ford,  Orchardleigh,  Rodney  Stoke  *,  Shepton  Mallett,  Tickenham. 

Decorated. — Bagborough,  North  Cadbury,  North  Stoke,  Uphill. 

Perpendicular. — Axbridge,  Bath  Abbey,  Bream,  Castle  Cary,  Cothelstone, 
Croscombe,  Crowcombe,  St.  Decuman,  Doulting,  Dundry,  Dunster, 
Exton,  Hutton,  Luccombe,  Porlock,  Priston,  Minehead  *,  Nettlecombe, 
Queens  Camel,  Nether  Stowey,  Over  Stowey,  Taunton  St.  James, 
Treeborough,  Wraxhall  *,  Yarlington. 

Staffordshire 

has  a  fair  number  of  Norman  fonts  of  varying  design.  The 
circular  bowl  of  Checkley  is  profusely  ornamented,  and  bears  the 
Agnus  Dei  and  book  ;  there  is  an  engraving  of  this  font  in  the 
Reliquary  (vol.  xxiv.).  The  old  Norman  font  at  Hanbury  is 
enclosed,  with  deplorably  bad  taste,  in  an  alabaster  casing.  The 
font  at  Ham  has  remarkable  rude  figures  under  arcading ;  it  is 
illustrated  in  Early  Christian  Symbolism. 

The  circular  font  of  Biddulph  is  of  Transitional  Norman  date ; 
it  stands  on  four  dwarfed  shafts,  and  has  interlaced  arcading.  The 
inscription  on  the  noteworthy  font  of  St.  Mary's,  Stafford,  is  given 
elsewhere ;    its  date  is  of  the   Transitional   Norman   period  and 


2i8        ENGLISH   CHURCH    FURNITURE 

approximates  1200.  It  is  an  unusual  and  massive  structure 
3  feet  3  inches  high  ;  it  has  a  quatrefoiled  bason,  'each  division  of 
which  bulges  considerably  outwards,  and  is  separated  from  its 
fellows  by  grotesque  figures  ;  the  bowl  rests  on  a  slab  of  like 
shape,  which  is  supported  by  crouching  lions  and  other  animals. 

There  are  very  few  noteworthy  Gothic  fonts  in  this  county. 
The  most  remarkable  one  is  that  of  the  collegiate  church  of 
Wolverhampton,  which  is  a  fine  example  of  late  I4th-cent.  date, 
probably  of  the  reign  of  Richard  II.  The  panels  of  the  octagonal 
bowl  bear  floral  and  other  devices,  the  one  to  the  east  being  carved 
with  a  bell,  which  may  imply  that  the  font  was  the  gift  of  a  bell- 
founder.  On  the  chamfer  below  the  bowl  are  a  series  of  quatre- 
foils.  The  octagonal  shaft  has  a  series  of  small  figures  of  saints 
in  trefoil-headed  niches :  St.  Anthony  with  his  pig,  and  St.  Bar- 
tholomew with  flaying  knife,  are  easy  to  recognize. 

Norman. — Armitage,  Biddulph  (tr.),  Checkley*,  Enville,  Gayton,  Han- 
bury,  Ham  (early),  Lapley,  Leek,  Longnor,  Mavesyn  Ridware, 
Norton-under-Cannock,  Pattingham,  Pipe  Ridware  *  (early),  Rowley 
Regis,  Salt,  Somershall,  Stafford,  St.  Mary  (Trans.). 

Decorated, — ^Wolverhampton  (late). 

Perpendictilar. — Alrewas  *,  Burton-on-Trent,  Handsworth,  Stowe  (Lichfield), 
Tutbury,  West  Bromwich,  Wichnor. 

Suffolk^ 

with  its  550  surviving  churches,  abounds  in  excellent  fonts,  more 
particularly  of  i5th-cent.  date,  for  which  it  is  so  justly  renowned. 

The  fine  square  font  of  black  Belgian  marble,  after  the  fashion 
of  the  one  at  Winchester  cathedral,  has  already  been  mentioned. 
Bradfield  Combust  is  a  good  example  of  a  square  Norman  bowl 
on  a  circular  shaft.  Palgrave,  of  Transitional  Norman  date,  is  sup- 
ported on  a  central  stem  and  four  small  detached  shafts. 

Leiston  is  a  good  instance  of  Early  English  work  ;  the  round 
bowl  has  a  trefoiled  arcade  supported  on  six  shafts.  Blyford, 
with  an  octagonal  bowl,  has  plain  semi-detached  shafts  at  the 
angles.  Both  of  these  fonts  are  illustrated  in  Parker's  Ecclesiastical 
Topography  (185 1). 

In  the  same  work  the  octagonal  font  of  Lackford,  with  its 
beautiful  foliaged  panels,  is  illustrated  ;  it  has  been  engraved  else- 
where, and  is  usually  labelled  "Early  English,"  but  there  can  be 
no  doubt  that  it  is  of  the  reign  of  Edward  L 


FONTS  219 

East  Anglia,  as  is  well  known,  is  by  far  the  best  district  in  all 
England  for  fine  and  frequent  examples  of  I5th-cent.  fonts.  Many 
of  these  fonts  seem  to  have  been  turned  out  from  some  common 
workshop,  or,  what  is  more  likely,  by  an  itinerant  group  of  skilled 
masons.  When  the  great  size  of  the  requisite  block  or  blocks  of 
stone  from  which  they  were  constructed,  the  cost  of  carriage  from 
over  the  seas  or  from  considerable  distances  inland,  and  the  skill 
necessary  for  their  carving  are  considered,  some  idea  can  be  formed 
of  the  remarkable  devotion  of  the  parish  gilds  or  of  individual 
benefactors  in  making  such  costly  offerings  to  their  churches.  It  is 
not,  therefore,  surprising  to  find  that  in  some  instances  inscriptions 
(usually  on  the  steps  of  the  font)  record  the  names  of  the  donors, 
and  invite  the  prayers  of  the  faithful  for  their  souls. 

In  the  list  of  font  inscriptions  it  will  be  found  that  four  of  this 
description  occur  in  Suffolk,  namely,  Blythburgh,  Burgate,  Darsham, 
and  Hessett ;  and  three  in  Norfolk,  namely.  Castor,  Southacre, 
and  Walsoken.  In  quite  as  many  more  cases  the  font  steps  show 
traces  of  inscriptions  now  illegible. 

A  particular  feature  of  many  of  these  East  Anglian  fonts,  in 
certain  districts,  is  the  occurrence  of  alternate  erect  lions  and  wild 
hairy  men  (termed  "  woodhouses  ")  round  the  octagon  shaft  of  the 
base.  In  the  one  Hundred  of  Blything  they  may  be  noticed  at 
Chediston,  Halesworth,  Middleton,  Theberton,  and  Wissett.  Hap- 
pisburgh  and  Ludham  are  good  examples  of  a  like  arrangement 
round  the  shafts  of  not  a  few  Norfolk  fonts.  At  Brampton,  Hunt- 
ingfield,  Linstead  Magna,  Linstead  Parva,  Sotherton,  Uggeshall, 
and  Westleton,  in  the  same  Hundred,  there  are  the  four  lions 
round  the  shaft,  but  the  wild  men  (typical  perchance  of  the  evil 
nature  expelled  by  the  baptismal  waters  above)  are  absent.  The 
eight  panels  of  the  octagonal  basons  of  these  I5th-cent.  fonts  are 
usually  well  carved  in  figures,  amid  which  lions  largely  predominate. 
Continuing  our  observations  on  the  fonts  of  this  Suffolk  Hundred, 
it  may  be  noticed  that  there  are  alternate  lions  and  shield-bearing 
demi-angels  on  the  fonts  of  Cookley,  Darsham,  Linstead  Magna, 
Linstead  Parva,  South  Cove,  Theberton,  and  Westleton.  In  other 
cases,  as  at  Chediston,  Halesworth,  Middleton,  and  Wissett,  the 
evangelistic  symbols  alternate  with  angels.  At  Covehithe  and 
Sibton  the  angels  alternate  with  a  variety  of  figures,  whilst  at 
Yoxford  the  angels  alternate  with  quatrefoils.  In  the  best 
examples,  small  angels  with  outspread  wings  may  also  be  noticed 


220        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

on  the  chamfer  below  the  bowl,  forming  an  effective  link  with  the 
supporting  shaft. 

The  font  in  the  great  church  at  Blythburgh  was,  when  perfect, 
a  most  notable  example  of  late  I5th-cent.  work.  It  stands  on 
two  high  octagonal  steps,  on  the  upper  of  which  a  long  inscrip- 
tion has  been  cut.  The  beginning  of  it  is  easy  to  read,  being  the 
usual  Latin  form  of  asking  for  prayers  for  the  souls  of  John  Masin 
and  Katharine  his  wife,  the  donors ;  but  other  parts  have  been  for 
a  long  time  quite  hopeless  to  decipher.  From  certain  early  church 
notes,  it  is  supposed  that  the  rest  of  the  lettering  records  that  the 
font  donors  also  built  the  fine  south  porch.  This  font  was  injured 
in  1577,  when  a  storm  blew  down  the  spire,  much  of  it  falling  into 
the  church  and  killing  more  than  one  of  the  worshippers. 

It  is  almost  invidious  to  particularize  any  further,  for  the  multi- 
tude of  good  I5th-cent.  fonts  is  so  considerable,  but  Halesworth, 
Oulton,  and  Lowestoft  (with  its  beautiful  steps)  are  three  good 
examples  all  illustrated  in  Parker's  Ecclesiastical  Topography, 

Norman. — Bradfield  Combust,  South  Elmham,  Herrings  well ;  Ipswich, 
St.  Peter*;  Kettlebaston,  Palgrave*  (Trans.),  Tuddenham. 

Early  English. — Benacre,  Blyford  *,  Drinkstone,  Lakenheath,  Leiston  *, 
Thorpe,  Wickhambrook,  Knodishall. 

Decorated. — Barsham,  Bradfield  *,  Buxhall  *,  Coney  Weston,  Chelsworth, 
Little  Cornard,  Elmswell  *,  Flempton,  Hadleigh,  Hemingstone  *, 
Lackford*,  Parham,  Rickinghall  Inferior,  Wickham  Market,  Willis- 
ham  *,  Wortham. 

Perpendicular  (very  numerous,  only  the  more  important  named). — Bar- 
gate,  Barnardiston,  Barrow,  Blythburgh  *,  Bramford  *,  Chevington, 
Chilton,  Denardiston,  Great  Glemham,  Halesworth*,  Haughley, 
Hoxne ;  Ipswich,  St.  Clement,  St.  Mary  Quay,  St.  Matthew,  and  St. 
Mary-at-Tower ;  Keddington,  Lavenham,  Lowestoft  *,  Melton,  New- 
bourn^  Orford,  Oulton  *,  Risby,  Monk  Soham,  Snape,  Sutton  *, 
Ufiford,  Witnesham,  Weston,  Woodbridge. 

(For  the  eleven  beautiful  Perpendicular  examples  of  Suffolk 
Sacrament  fonts,  see  previous  list.) 

Stcri'ey 

This  county,  considering  its  extent,  has  not  so  many  mediaeval 
fonts  as  might  have  been  expected ;  but  there  are  various  good 
examples,  both  of  the  Norman  and  I5th-cent.  periods.  There 
seems  to  have  been  a  particular  rage  in  Surrey,  about  a  century 


FONTS  221 

ago,  for  ejecting  old  fonts  and  replacing  them  with  small  and 
mean  substitutes.  In  the  three  fine  volumes  of  the  history  of 
the  county  by  Manning  and  Bray,  published  in  1804,  the  font 
of  each  parish  church  is  usually  specified.  In  a  large  number  of 
cases,  particularly  near  London,  the  words  "  a  small  modern 
bason  "  often  occur.  At  Brickland  "  a  small  marble  bason  on  a 
slender  mahogany  pillar"  is  named.  At  Godstone  the  old  font, 
a  hexagon  with  cinquefoils,  is  described  as  being  "now  in  the 
cemetary." 

Several  of  the  Norman  and  Transition  square-bowled  fonts  are 
made  from  the  dark  Pet  worth  marble  of  the  adjacent  county  of 
Sussex ;  such  are  the  fonts  of  Beddington,  Frencham,  Great  Book- 
ham,  West  Clandon,  Godalming,  Warplesdon,  Horley,  Merstham, 
Mickleham,  Shere,  and  Scale. 

The  leaden  Norman  font  of  Walton-on-the- Hill,  already  named, 
is  of  sufficiently  fine  and  striking  design  to  be  again  mentioned.  It 
is  of  small  dimensions,  the  bowl  having  a  diameter  of  20  inches, 
and  a  depth  of  13J  inches.  Round  the  bowl  is  a  series  of  six  wide 
arches,  with  full-faced  seated  figures  in  each  of  the  arcades.  These 
figures  are  of  three  patterns,  each  being  twice  repeated.  The  first 
has  the  right  hand  raised  in  benediction,  whilst  the  left  holds  a 
book  to  the  breast ;  the  second  has  also  the  right  hand  raised  in 
benediction,  but  the  left  rests  the  book  on  the  knee  ;  and  the  third 
has  the  right  hand  on  the  one  knee,  whilst  the  left  rests  a  book  on 
the  other  knee.  The  bowl  is  enriched  both  at  the  top  and  bottom 
with  delicately  wrought  foliage. 

The  Early  English  marble  font  of  Shere,  which  is  cubical  with 
shafts  at  the  angles,  is  engraved  in  Manning  and  Bray.  The  14th- 
cent.  font  of  Chipstead  has  a  large  octagonal  bowl,  with  a  double 
niche  on  each  face  ;  it  stands  on  a  circular  pillar.  The  square 
font  of  Ewhurst  is  described  by  Manning  and  Bray  as  having  a 
cross  saltire  on  each  side.  The  i5th-cent.  font  at  Mortlake, 
engraved  by  Manning  and  Bray,  bears  the  arms  of  Archbishop 
Bruchier  (1454-81) ;  and  the  font  at  Mitcham  closely  resembles  it. 

Norman* — Albury,  Alford,  Beddington,  Great  Bookham,  Chaldon,  Comp- 
ton,  Dunsfold,  Frencham,  Godalming,  Hambleden,  Horley,  Mertsham, 
Mickleham,  Seale,  Thames  Ditton,  Thursley,  Warplesdon,  Walton-on- 
the- Hill  (lead),  Woking. 

Early  English. — Chelsham,  Chessingston,  Crowhurst,  Gatton,  West 
Horsley,  Limpsfield,  Shere,  Witley. 


222        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Decorafe^.—BsLYistesid,  Chipstead,  Effingham,  Ewhurst,  Reigate. 

Perpendicular. — Ashsted  *,  Bletchingley,  Burston,  Byfleet,  Epsom,  God- 
stone,  Leatherhead,  Lingfield,  West  Molesey,  Mortlake,  Nutfield, 
Stoke  D'Abernon,  Warlingham. 


Sussex 

possesses  various  good  examples  of  almost  every  kind  of  font, 
those  of  the  Norman  period  being  not  only  numerous  but  in 
many  cases  excellent  of  their  kind.  On  the  fonts  of  this 
county,  the  late  Mr.  Andr6  wrote  an  admirable  paper  in  1900 
{Sussex  Arch.  ColL,  xliv.  28-45). 

The  majority  of  the  Norman  fonts  have  square  bowls,  but  there 
are  two  groups  that  are  circular,  namely,  those  of  tub  shape  and 
those  that  are  cup-shaped.  The  tub-shaped,  the  oldest  division, 
includes  those  of  Bignor,  Brighton,  Burton,  Penton,  North  Mundham, 
Selham,  West  Wittering,  and  Yapton.  Of  these  Brighton  is  a 
remarkably  fine  example,  and  the  only  one  of  the  county  bearing 
figure  sculpture  ;  the  subjects  include  the  Baptism  of  Christ,  the 
Last  Supper,  and  some  of  the  miracles  of  St.  Nicholas.  There 
is  a  good  article  on  the  Brighton  font  in  vol.  xlii.  of  Sussex  Arch, 
Proceedings,  The  fonts  of  Denton  and  St.  Anne,  Lewes,  are  hand- 
somely carved,  and  almost  identical ;  the  latter  is  engraved  by 
Paley.  West  Thorney,  Yapton,  and  Mountfield  are  also  among 
the  more  noteworthy  of  these  circular  fonts.  Of  the  cup-shaped 
division  there  are  seven  examples,  the  most  remarkable  being 
that  of  Salehurst,  round  the  base  of  which  is  a  cordon  of 
salamanders. 

Denton  font,  illustrated  in  the  Reliquary  and  Illustrated 
Archceologist,  vol.  xi.,  has  the  circular  bowl  sculptured  throughout 
with  an  interwoven  basket-work  pattern. 

Of  the  largest  number  of  the  Norman  fonts  which  have  square 
bowls — twenty-nine  all  told — the  most  interesting  are  those  at  New 
Shoreham  (engraved  by  Paley),  Coates,  Lancing,  and  Slaugham. 
The  last  has  on  one  side,  in  the  arcaded  work,  the  incised  figure 
of  a  fish,  the  well-known  symbol  of  our  Lord.  Several  of  these 
quadrangular  bowls  are  supported  by  a  central  pillar  and  four 
angle  shafts.  The  Norman  fonts  of  this  county,  Edburton  and 
Piecombe,  have  already  been  named  among  the  leaden  fonts. 

Of  Gothic  fonts,  those  of  the  Early  English  period  number  nine 
or  ten  certain  examples.     Itchenor  is  engraved  by  Paley.     Those 


FONTS  223 

of  the  Decorated  period  are  about  the  same  number ;  Poynings,  a 
tub-shaped  form  with  eight  panelled  faces,  is  chosen  by  Paley  for 
illustration.  To  this  period,  too,  belongs  the  lead  font  at  Parham. 
The  county  contains  many  fonts  of  the  Perpendicular  style,  though 
the  majority  are  quite  plain  in  character.  Cowfold,  Shermanbury, 
and  Thakeham  are  almost  identical,  having  peculiar  roundels  on 
some  of  the  panels,  like  those  on  chests  of  an  earlier  date.  The 
font  at  Clymping  is  a  beautiful  example  of  a  panelled  font ;  it 
forms  pi.  xxviii.  in  the  second  volume  of  Brandon's  Analysis  of 
Gothic  Architecture. 

Norman. — Aldingbourne  *,  Amberley,  Appledram,  Barnham,  Battle,  Ber- 
wick, Bignor,  Bishopstone,  Bosham,  Brighton  *,  Barton,  Coates,  Chit- 
hurst,  Dalton  *,  East  Dean,  Denton,  Eastbourne,  Felpham,  Fletching, 
Graffham,  West  Grinstead ;  Lewes,  St.  Anne ;  Lyminster,  Pulborough, 
Rodmell,  Rudgwick,  Salehurst,  Selsey,  Shere,  New  Shoreham, 
Slaugham,  Sompting,  Southover,  Thornham,  Tortington,  Upwaltham, 
Warnham,  Woolbeding,  Yapton. 

Early  English, — Ashurst,  Buxtead,  Cuckfield,  West  Ferring,  Heyshot, 
Iford,  Itchenor*,  Sutton,  Worth  * 

Decorated, — Barcombe,  Eastergate,  Etchingham  *,  Houghton,  Jevington, 
Lindfield,  West  Dean,  Willingdon. 

Perpe7idicular. — Arlington,  Arundel  *,  Beddingham,  Boxgrove,  Burwash, 
Clymping  *,  Frittleworth_,  Hailsham ;  Hastings,  St.  Clements  ;  Hor- 
sham, Hotham,  Patching,  Playden,  Portslade,  Poynings  (Richard  II.), 
Rotherfield,  Sallington,  Shermanbury,  Thakeham. 


Warwickshire 

has  a  few  interesting  fonts,  and  many  ordinary  examples  of  the 
different  periods.  There  are  a  large  number  of  Norman  fonts,  but 
they  are  mostly  of  a  plain  character,  such  as  the  unadorned  cylinder 
bowl  at  Norton,  or  the  truncated  cone  of  Rowington.  At  Coleshill, 
however,  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  late  Norman  fonts  in  the 
Midlands.  The  circular  bowl  is  richly  carved  with  arcades,  having 
figures  in  relief  of  the  four  Evangelists,  alternating  with  foliage 
designs  ;  but  on  the  side  facing  east  three  of  the  arcades  are 
interrupted  to  include  a  Rood  with  Sts.  Mary  and  John  within  a 
circle.  Two  good  plates  are  deservedly  given  to  this  font  in 
Parker's  Glossary. 

The  font  at  Coughton  is  13th  cent.,  and  after  an  unusual  design. 
A  plain  octagonal  bason,  chamfered  beneath,  rests  on  eight  very 


224        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

short  well-moulded  shafts  clustered  together,  and  these  are  set  on 
a  raised  plinth  and  base  stone. 

Wootton  Wawen  font,  illustrated  in  Churches  of  Warwickshire 
(1847),  is  difficult  to  date,  but  probably  from  the  base  mouldings 
temp.  Richard  II.  It  is  a  plain  octagonal  bason  resting  on  eight 
sculptured  heads.  At  Lapworth,  also  illustrated  in  the  same  work, 
is  a  font  probably  of  the  same  date  and  in  some  ways  resembling 
the  one  just  named  ;  in  this  case  a  plain  octagonal  bason  is  raised 
on  an  octagonal  shaft,  at  each  angle  of  which,  just  under  the  bason, 
is  a  sculptured  head. 

The  use  of  supporting  human  heads  also  occurs  on  the  14th- 
cent.  font  of  Weston,  engraved  by  Paley.  Both  bowl  and  shaft 
are  eight  sided,  but  not  of  equal  octagonal  form  ;  four  of  the  sides 
are  wide  and  turn  inwards,  whilst  the  other  four  are  narrow  and 
flat.  The  lower  part  of  the  bowl  is  moulded,  and  is  supported  by 
four  projecting  heads.  Wolston  font,  illustrated  in  the  same  work, 
and  also  of  the  I4th-cent.  period,  is  a  much  more  graceful  design. 
In  this  case  each  face  of  the  octagon  bowl  bears  an  ogee-shaped 
crocketed  trefoil  arch,  terminating  in  heads ;  the  shaft  is  clustered 
with  well-moulded  capitals  and  bases. 

The  best  I5th-cent.  font  in  Warwickshire  is  that  of  Holy 
Trinity,  Coventry.  It  is  octagonal,  and  stands  on  three  steps  of 
like  shape,  which  give  it  considerable  dignity.  Each  face  of  the 
bowl  is  panelled  with  two  quatrefoils.  The  wide  shaft  or  stem  is 
divided  into  eight  traceried  panels  by  buttresses,  and  above  them 
the  bowl  is  supported  by  a  moulding  of  squared  flowers.  The 
engraving  of  this  font  in  Paley  is  remarkably  good. 

Nonnan, — Burton  Hastings,  Coleshill  *,  Cubbington,  Curdworth  '*,  Dun- 
church,  Hampton-in-Arden,  Haughton-in-Arden,  Norton,  Oxhill, 
Rowington,  Shotteswell,  Stoneleigh  *,  Sutton  '*,  Walgrave,  Weddington, 
Whatcote,  Willoughby. 

Early  English, — Bourton-on-Dunsmore,  Coughton;  Coventry,  St.  Michael's; 
Ilmington. 

Decorated. — Brailes,  Knowle  *,  Lapworth,  Meriden,  Preston  Bagot  (late), 
Snitterfield,  Solihull,  Tysoe,  Ullenhall,  Weston-under-Weatherley  "', 
Wolston,  Wootton  Wawen  (late). 

Ferpe?idiculaj\ — Coventry,  Holy  Trinity  ;  Haseley,  Wolverton. 


FONTS  225 

Westmoreland 

There  is  but  little  to  be  said  of  the  fonts  of  this  county.  So 
many  of  the  old  churches  were  entirely  rebuilt,  or  renovated  on 
drastic  lines,  during  the  past  century,  that  very  few  mediaeval  fonts 
remain.  The  writer  of  Murray's  Guide  to  Cumberland  and  West- 
moreland is  unkind  enough  to  say  that  "  most  of  the  parish  churches 
are  hideous,"  an  assertion  that  it  is  difficult  to  gainsay.  At  Crosby 
Ravensworth  is  a  i5th-cent.  octagonal  font  bearing  the  Greek 
inscription  already  referred  to  as  found  on  several  of  its  fellows 
up  and  down  the  country,  which  can  be  read  either  forwards  or 
backwards.  The  font  at  Beetham  is  dated  1636,  that  at  Lupton 
1686,  and  that  of  Selwick  1708.  Mention  may  for  once  be  made 
of  a  modern  font;  the  church  of  Tebay,  built  in  1880,  has  a 
praiseworthy  font  made  out  of  a  block  of  Shap  granite,  and  finely 
carved.  The  use  of  suitable  local  material  is  always  to  be  com- 
mended. 


Wiltshire 

has  a  large  number  of  Norman  fonts. 

The  font  of  Donhead  St.  Mary  is  a  cylindrical  Norman  example 
boldly  arcaded  ;  it  is  figured  in  Hoare's  Wilts.  There  is  a  richly 
sculptured  circular  font,  delicately  arcaded,  in  Great  Durnford 
church,  which  is  also  illustrated  by  Hoare.  There  are  also  illus- 
trations in  Hoare's  volumes  of  the  rude  Norman  font  of  Upton 
Scudamore. 

Cherington  font  is  a  grand  specimen  of  late  Norman.  It  is 
circular,  and  the  bowl  is  arcaded  with  twelve  semicircular  arches 
containing  the  Twelve  Apostles.  One  of  these,  St.  Peter,  holds 
a  book  in  the  left  hand  and  a  key  in  the  right ;  the  remainder  all 
have  a  book,  but  held  in  different  fashions.  It  resembles  the  font 
at  Avebury,  and  is  illustrated  in  the  Wilts  Archceological  Magazine 
(vol.  XXV.).  The  Norman  fonts  of  the  county  are  of  great  variety. 
Several  of  them  are  early  circular  and  severely  plain ;  whilst  others 
are  late  in  the  style,  and  have  the  square  bowl  supported  by  a 
central  shaft  and  four  smaller  shafts  at  the  angles,  as  at  Boyton. 
The  font  at  Etchilhampton  has  a  circular  bowl  and  shaft,  on  a 
square  plinth,  forming  a  remarkably  good  plain  example  ;  it  is 
illustrated  in  the  Wilts  Magazine  (vol.  xi.).  Yatesbury  {Wilts 
Q 


226        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Magazine,  xviii.)  is  an  excellent  instance  of  bold  good  workman- 
ship ;  it  has  a  circular  bowl  and  shaft,  the  bowl  springing  from  a 
vigorous  garland  of  an  early  form  of  acanthus  leaf.  In  Hilperton 
church  there  was  set  up,  in  1892,  the  remarkable  circular  bowl  of  an 
early  Norman  font,  which  had  been  dug  up  in  the  churchyard  of 
the  adjacent  parish  of  Whaddon.  Round  it  is  worked  an  arcade 
of  thirteen  semicircular  arches  ;  above  the  arcades  are  spandrel 
carvings  of  conventional  leaves.  This  font  is  illustrated  and 
described  by  Mr.  Ponting  in  vol.  xxvii.  of  the  Wilts  Magazine. 

Paley  illustrates  the  handsome  circular  Norman  font  of  Liddiard 
Millicent ;  it  is  surrounded  with  interlaced  arcading,  the  arches  of 
which  are  ornamented  with  the  fillet  moulding  ;  it  is  late  in  the 
style.  The  same  work  has  also  a  good  engraving  of  by  far  the 
most  beautiful  late  Norman  font  in  the  county,  namely,  that  at 
Stanton  Fitzwarren.  The  circular  bowl  is  divided  into  ten  com- 
partments by  shafts  with  wide  trefoiled  heads.  Within  the  niches 
thus  formed  are  ten  figures,  eight  of  which  illustrate  the  triumph 
of  virtues  over  their  opposite  vices,  the  names  being  in  each  case 
inscribed.     They  are  as  follows  : — 

Largitas — Avariiia.  Modestia — Elaietas. 

Huniilitas — Superbia.  Temperancia — Luxnria, 

Pietas — Discordia.  Paciencia — Ira . 

Misericordia — Invidia.  Pudicia — Libido. 

Of  the  other  two  figures,  one,  representing  the  Church,  is  a 
crowned  long-robed  figure  holding  a  cross  in  the  right  hand  and 
a  chalice  in  the  left,  and  trampling  the  serpent  underfoot ;  it  is 
inscribed  Ecdesia,  and  Serpens  occiditur.  The  tenth  niche  is 
occupied  by  an  angel  with  drawn  sword  and  unfolded  wings,  and 
over  it  Cheruhyni ;  it  is  obviously  suggestive  of  the  Church 
Triumphant.  The  upper  part,  above  the  figures,  is  elaborately 
sculptured.  It  is  of  late  Norman  style,  and  may  be  considered  as 
coming  within  the  first  score  of  the  most  interesting  fonts  in  all 
England. 

The  Gothic  fonts  of  Wilts,  are  neither  so  interesting  nor  so 
numerous  as  those  of  the  Norman  style.  Paley  chooses  Cricklade 
as  an  example  of  late  Decorated  ;  each  face  of  the  octagonal  bowl 
has  two  trefoil-headed  panels  ;  the  shaft  has  at  its  base  a  band  of 
trefoils  alternately  plain  and  convoluted.  North  Bradley,  also  given 
by  Paley,  is  an  apt  illustration  of  dignified  work  towards  the  close 


FONTS  227 

of  the  15th  cent. ;  the  octagonal  bowl  has  double-feathered  quatre- 
foils  enclosing  shields,  four  of  which  have  the  Evangelistic  symbols, 
and  the  other  four  those  of  the  Passion.  Wokingham  is  another 
good  font  of  the  same  century  ;  it  is  engraved  in  the  Wilts  Magazine 
(vol.  xi.). 

Saxon. — Potterne  *. 

Norman. — Amesbury  '"',  Avebury  *,  Beckington,  Biddeston_,  Boyton,  Bratton, 
Cherington  '"',  Christian  Malford,  Codford  St.  Peter,  Ditcheridge, 
Donhead  St.  Mary,  Downton,  Great  Durnford,  Etchilhampton, 
Fi field,  West  Grinstead,  Hilperton  "*,  Liddiard  Millicent  '^,  Longbridge 
Deverel,  Moulton  Deverel,  Maiden  Bradley,  Preshute,  Ramsbury, 
Semley,  Sherston  ""',  Stanton  Fitzwarren  '"'  (Trans.),  Stanton  St.  Quinton, 
Steeple  Langford,  Stockton,  Tilshead,  Tisbury  (Trans.),  Yatesbury, 
Upper  Donhead. 

Early  English. — Chilton  Folliot,  Combe  Basset,  Erchfont. 

Decorated. — Cricklade  '^,  Market  Lavington,  North  Bradley  '"',  Wokingham  '*. 

Perpendicular. — Broadchalk,  Colne,  Langford,  Trowbridge. 

Worcestershire 

is  not  particularly  noted  for  its  fonts,  but  it  has  a  few  interesting 
Norman  examples.  The  most  important  of  these  is  the  one  at 
Chaddesley  Corbett,  of  early  date,  which  is  carved  all  over  in  low 
relief  with  interlacing  bands  and  grotesque  serpent-like  forms. 
Overbury  circular  font,  rashly  styled  Saxon  by  some,  has  sculptured 
figures  of  great  variety.  The  most  beautiful  Norman  font  in  the 
county  is  the  cup-shaped  example  at  Holt,  well- engraved  by  Paley. 
It  is  a  most  rich  example  of  carving,  especially  round  the  bowl, 
the  chief  feature  of  which  is  a  succession  of  lion-like  masks.  At 
Wyre  Piddle,  the  font  is  ornamented  .with  chevron  work  round 
the  rim  and  at  the  base.  Bishampton  font  has  the  cable  and 
other  characteristic  mouldings. 

The  I5th-cent.  octagonal  font  at  Elmley  Castle  has  four  shields 
bearing  symbols  of  the  Passion,  whilst  the  other  shields  are 
armorial  ;  at  the  base  are  four  dragons.  Another  good  font  of 
this  date,  with  various  designs  on  the  eight  panels,  is  at  Upton 
Snodsbury. 

Norman. — Bishampton,  Bricklehampton,  Bretforton,  Broome,  Chaddesley 
Corbett  *,  Frankley,  Hales  Owen,  Hartlebury,  Hampton,  Holt  *,  Leigh, 
Mid-Littleton,  North  Littleton,  South  Littleton,  Great  Malvern, 
Overbury,  Oldberrow,  Pendcock,  Wickhamford,  Wyre  Piddle. 


228        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Decorated. — Belbroughton^  Kidderminster,  Staunton  j  Worcester,  St.  Albans. 
Perpendicular. — Cleeve  Prior,  Elmley,  Evesham  All  Saints,  King's  Norton, 
Norton,  Offenham,  Salwarp. 


Yorkshire 

East  Riding. — The  fonts  of  this  Riding  are  more  interesting 
and  varied  than  in  the  other  two  divisions  of  the  county.  Those 
of  Norman  date  very  largely  predominate.  The  mere  plain 
cylindrical  bowls  are  far  fewer  than  in  the  North  Riding,  numbering 
only  about  sixteen.  Here  again,  however,  there  are  no  square 
Norman  bowls,  which  prevail  largely  in  the  south  and  west  of 
England.  The  circular  bowls  present  almost  every  variety  of 
treatment ;  several  have  the  cable  moulding,  as  at  Folkton  ;  others 
are  arcaded,  as  in  the  very  large  example  at  Butterwick  ;  a  few 
bear  chevron  mouldings,  as  at  Bessingby  ;  two  or  three  are  richly 
diapered,  of  which  Bainton  is  an  example  ;  whilst  some  combine 
a  variety  of  mouldings,  as  in  the  handsome  instance  of  Barmston, 
where  cable,  diaper,  and  arcading  appear  on  the  same  font. 

Special  mention  must  be  made  of  a  highly  remarkable  series 
of  elaborately  carved  Norman  fonts  which  occur  on  the  Wolds,  at 
Cottam,  Cowlam,  Kirkburn,  and  North  Grimston.  To  these  a  fifth 
should  be  added,  namely,  that  of  Hutton  Cranswick,  which  by 
deplorable  bad  judgment  was  sent  by  the  parish  priest  and 
wardens  to  the  York  Museum  !  Space  does  not  permit  to  enter 
into  any  details  as  to  the  invaluable  rudely  sculptured  scenes  on 
these  fonts,  illustrative  of  incident  in  the  Scriptures  and  the  lives 
of  the  saints.  They  are  illustrated  and  technically  described  in 
Mr.  Romilly  Allen's  masterly  work  on  Early  Christian  Symbolism 
(1887),  and  they  have  also  been  well  treated  by  the  Rev.  E.  Maule 
Cole  in  vol.  x.  of  the  East  Riding  Archceological  Society's  Journal. 

As  to  the  Gothic  fonts,  there  are  several  of  Early  English  or 
1 3th-cent.  date,  but  not  very  noteworthy ;  perhaps  the  one  at 
Londesborough  is  the  best.  Patrington,  Hedon,  and  Holy 
Trinity,  Hull,  are  the  only  I4th-cent.  fonts  of  particular  merit ; 
the  two  former  are  illustrated  by  Paley.  It  is  rather  puzzling  to 
say,  in  the  case  of  several  plain  octagon  fonts,  whether  they  belong 
to  the  14th  or  15th  cent.  The  two  inscription-bearing  fonts 
(already  named)  at  St.  Mary's,  Beverley,  and  Goodmanham  are  fine 
late  examples  of  Perpendicular  work. 


FONTS  229 

Norman. — Bainton,  Barmston  *,  Bessingby,  Brantingham  (Trans.),  Bug- 
thorpe  (Trans.),  Burstwick,  Burton  Agnes,  Burton  Fleming,  Butterwick, 
Carnaby,  Cottam,  Cowlam,  Dalton,  Elvington,  Filey  (Trans.),  Flam- 
borough,  Folkton,  Fridaythorpe,  North  Grimston,  Grindale,  Humanby, 
Hutton  Cranswick,  Kilnwick  (Trans.),  Kilham,  Kirkburn  *,  Locking- 
ton,  Low  Catton,  Lund,  Middleton-on-the-Wolds,  Muston,  Nafferton, 
Pocklington,  Reighton  *,  Rillington  (Trans.),  Rudstone  *,  Ruston- 
Parva,  Sherburn  *,  Seaton  Ross,  Settrington,  Skirpenbeck,  Speeton, 
Thorngumbald,  Weaverthorpe,  Westow,  Wharram-le-Street,  Wintring- 
'  ham,  Yapham. 

Early  English. — Bempton,  Beverley  Minster,  Great  Driffield  *,  Hornsea, 
Langton,  Londesborough  *,  North  Newbould  *,  Nunburnholme, 
Sutton,  Tunstall  *,  Whatton,  Wharram  Percy. 

Decorated. — Atwick,  Barton  Pidsea,  Full  Sutton,  Hayton,  Humbledon, 
Patrington  '^,  South  Cave. 

Perpendicular. — Beverley,  St.  Mary ;  Brandesburton,  Bubwith,  Etton,  Good- 
manham*,  Hedon  *,  Huggate ;  Hull,  Holy  Trinity ;  Ottringham, 
Paull,  Wawne,  Willerby,  Welwick. 

North  Riding. — The  font  at  Alne  has  knotwork  round  the  edge. 
It  is  usually  termed  Saxon,  in  which  opinion  we  should  have  con- 
curred had  not  the  judgment  of  Mr.  Romilly  Allen,  the  great  expert 
in  such  matters,  pronounced  it  to  be  of  post-Conquest  date.  At  Bowes 
there  is  an  old  font  supported  by  a  Roman  altar,  which  seems  to 
have  good  claim  to  be  considered  Saxon.  There  are  about  forty 
plain  cylindrical  fonts  in  the  small  churches  of  this  Riding,  usually 
styled  early  Norman  ;  it  is  quite  possible  that  some  of  the  ruder  of 
these,  as  at  Amotherby  and  Appleton,  may  be  Saxon.  There  is 
not  to  our  knowledge  a  single  squared  Norman  font  throughout 
the  Riding.  There  were  yet  more  of  these  plain  circular  fonts  in 
the  churches  of  this  part  of  Yorkshire  in  1830-40,  as  shown  by  Sir 
Stephen  Glynne's  church  notes  ;  but  it  was  the  common  fashion  in 
these  parts  to  eject  them  in  favour  of  tawdry  showy  successors  in 
the  earlier  days  of  the  "  restoration  mania."  One  of  good  propor- 
tions and  in  excellent  condition  was  flung  aside,  in  1871,  when 
Barton-le-Street  church  was  rebuilt.  Dr.  Cox  found  it  sunk  in  a 
field  in  Slingsby  parish  as  a  cattle  trough,  and  restored  it  to  its 
proper  use,  in  1890,  in  Butterwick  chapel.  About  the  same  time 
"  Three  old  Church  Fonts  "  were  advertised  for  sale  throughout  the 
district  on  auctioneers'  handbills,  as  part  of  the  garden  effects  of  a 
resident  in  Old  Malton  ;  the  diocesan  chancellor  (the  late  Lord 
Grimthorpe)  refused  to  interfere  ;  all  three  were  of  Norman  date. 


230        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

There  were  rude  carvings  on  the  West  Rounton  font ;  arcade  work 
on  those  of  East  Ayton,  Easby,  Great  Edstone,  and  Newton- 
in-Cleveland  ;  and  on  the  one  at  Great  Smeaton  a  good  diaper 
pattern.  The  plainly  arcaded  tub  font  of  East  Ayton  is  illustrated 
in  Chirches  of  Scarborough  and  District  (1846). 

There  are  some  Early  English  examples  given  in  the  following 
list,  but  none  are  specially  noteworthy. 

Among  the  not  very  numerous  I5th-cent.  fonts,  the  three  similar 
ones  of  black  marble  at  Cattarick,  Kilvington,  and  Richmond — all 
heraldic — should  be  noted.  Wensley  is  an  instance  of  a  font  (c. 
1500)  being  ejected  by  the  Puritans,  and  replaced  in  1662,  when 
that  date  and  an  inscription  was  added. 

Saxoti. — Bowes  *. 

Normatt, — Alne  *,  Amotherby,  Ampleforth,  Appleton-le-Street,  East  Ayton, 
Butterwick,  Old  Byland,  Cayton,  Dalby,  Danby,  Easby*,  Ebberston, 
Great  Edstone,  Eryholme,  Foston,  Gillamore,  Grinton ;  New  Malton, 
St.  Leonard ;  Newton-in-Cleveland  *,  Osmotherley,  Over  Silton,  Red- 
mire,  Romaldkirk  *,  West  Rounton  *,  Sandhutton,  Scawton^  Great 
Smeaton  *,  Smeaton,  Stillington,  Thornton  Dale,  Thornton  Steward  * 
(Trans.),  Whorlton. 

Early  English. — AUerston,  Brompton,  Helmsley,  Hutton  Bushel,  Kirkby 
Fleetham,  Kirkdale,  Marton-on-the-Forest,  Skelton. 

Decorated. — Brompton . 

Perpendicular. — Cattarick  *,  South  Cowton,  Kilvington,  Middleham  *, 
Richmond  *,  Thirsk,  Wensley  *. 

West  Riding. —  The  fonts  of  this  Riding  are  the  least  interesting 
of  the  three  Yorkshire  divisions ;  and  we  are  not  able  to  give  so 
full  a  list.  By  far  the  most  interesting  of  the  Norman  fonts  is  that 
of  Thorpe  Salvin.  It  is  cylindrical  and  arcaded,  with  figures  in 
high  relief.  Among  them  the  four  seasons  are  sculptured,  namely, 
a  man  sowing  corn  representing  spring  ;  a  man  on  horseback, 
summer  ;  a  man  reaping  corn,  autumn  ;  and  a  man  warming  him- 
self, winter.  Another  scene  on  this  font  is  that  of  the  rite  of 
baptism. 

Ingleton  is  another  good  example  of  Norman  work,  with  figures 
in  the  arcading.  Burnsall  has  rude  grotesque  figures  round  the 
bowl.  Stainburn  is  interesting ;  it  is  early,  though  not  Saxon, 
as  sometimes  asserted.  Horton-in-Ribblesdale  has  the  chevron 
moulding,  but  most  of  the  West  Riding  Norman  fonts  are  plain 
cylinders. 


FONT   COVERS  231 

Of  the  Gothic  fonts,  Hickleton,  with  its  band  of  conventional 
foliage,  is  the  best  of  the  few  of  I3th-cent.  date.  Mytton  has  the 
only  noteworthy  font,  with  which  we  are  acquainted,  of  I4th-cent. 
date.  There  are  many  examples  of  the  Perpendicular  period,  but 
the  large  majority  are  of  fairly  plain  octagonal  form.  Aston  and 
Laughton-en-la-Morthen  are  exceptionally  fine  examples.  The 
panels  of  each  have  quatrefoils  alternating  with  wavy  wheels  or 
roundels.  At  the  base  of  the  former  is  the  figure  of  a  seated  king, 
holding  a  spear,  and  at  the  opposite  corner  an  angel.  Local 
ingenuity  says  that  the  figures  represent  Herod  waiting  to  slay  the 
Holy  Child,  and  an  angel  watching  in  protection  ! 

Norman. — Adel,  Aldmondbury,  Ardwick-on-Dearne,  Batley  (churchyard), 
Bradfield,  Burgwallis,  Burnsall,  Carlton-in-Craven,  Copgrove,  Horton- 
in-Ribblesdale,  Ingleton*,  Kirby  Malham,  Kirby-on-the-Moor,  Linton, 
Keighton,  Selby,  Stainburn*,  Thorpe  Salvin  *,  Whitechapel,  Wragley. 

Early  English. — Catton,  Hickleton,  Horton,  Monk  Fryston,  Skelton. 

Decorated. — Fishlake,  Hubberholm,  Marr,  Mytton. 

Perpendicular. — Aston  *,  Bolton-juxta-Bowland  *,  Brodsworth,  Campsall, 
Calverley,  Conisborough,  Crofton,  Darfield,  Halifax,  Knaresborough, 
Penistone,  Pontefract,  Sedbergh,  Skipton,  Tankersley,  Tickhill, 
Thorne,  Womersley. 

FONT    COVERS* 

The  first  font  covers  were  probably  flat  movable  lids ;  we 
know  that  they  were  in  general  use  in  early  days,  long  before  the 
definite  order  of  1236,  as  it  is  very  rare  to  find  a  Norman  font 
without  traces  of  the  incisions  in  the  stone  for  staples  or  hinges. 
At  a  later  period  these  covers  often  became  highly  ornamented, 
and  were  sometimes  carried  up  to  a  considerable  height,  after  the 
fashion  of  spires,  and  enriched  with  a  variety  of  tabernacle  work. 
We  are  not  aware  of  any  English  example  of  a  font  cover  which  is 
apparently  of  earlier  date  than  the  15th  cent. 

A  comparatively  simple  but  effective  form  of  font  cover  was  a 
set  of  eight  panels  rising  from  a  moulded  base  and  gradually 
converging  to  a  point  in  a  pyramidal  form  ;  the  mouldings  dividing 
the  panels  in  the  richer  cases — as  at  Monksilver,  Somerset,  engraved 
in  Parker's  Glossary — these  are  ornamented  with  crockets,  whilst 

*  It  had  been  intended  to  give  as  full  a  list  as  possible  of  font  covers  throughout 
England  ;  but  a  monograph  on  this  subject,  which  promises  to  be  good  and  thorough, 
is  preparing  for  speedy  publication. 


232        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

an  elaborate  crocketed  finial  forms  the  summit.  Another  good 
example  of  this  style  may  be  noticed  at  Elsing,  Norfolk.  The 
crocketed  cover  of  Ufiford,  Northants,  has  the  small  figure^  of  an 
ecclesiastic  for  a  finial. 

There  are  various  beautiful  examples  of  the  lofty  tabernacled 
kind  of  font  cover.  The  first  and  earliest  instance  of  such  covers 
occurs  at  Ewelme,  Oxon.,  of  which  an  illustration  is  given  as  a 
frontispiece.  It  dates  from  the  first  half  of  the  15th  cent.  It  is 
an  open-work  spire,  10  feet  6  inches  in  height,  and  consists  of  a 
central  octagon  core  from  which  sixteen  deep  buttresses  of  open 
work  radiate ;  the  buttresses  are  connected  together  at  their  outer 
edges  by  four  diminishing  tiers  of  foliated  arches  with  crocketed 
canopies,  supporting  a  crocketed  spire  completed  by  a  figure  of  St. 
Michael. 

Two  of  the  best  of  the  Suffolk  examples,  namely,  those  of 
Ufford  and  St.  Gregory's,  Sudbury,  are  engraved  in  the  Vetusta 
Monumenta  (iii.  25).  The  lofty  one  of  Selby  Abbey,  12  feet 
high,  which  was  fortunately  rescued  from  the  terrible  fire  of  1906, 
is  drawn  to  scale  in  the  Sketch-book  of  the  Architectural  Association 
(New  Series,  ii.).  Lincolnshire  has  two  beautiful  lofty  covers  : 
the  one  at  Frieston  towers  nearly  to  the  roof  and  is  crowned  with  a 
figure  of  the  Virgin  ;  the  other  one,  at  Fosdyke,  is  nearly  as  good, 
and  has  three  stages  of  open  work  ;  this  last  cover  is  illustrated  by 
Simpson.  There  is  another  of  these  lofty  covers  in  Suffolk  at 
Worlingworth,  which  is  said  to  have  come  from  the  Abbey  of  Bury 
St.  Edmunds,  whilst  a  fourth  occurs  at  Bramford.  Norfolk  examples 
of  lofty  covers  occur  at  North  Walsham,  Merton,  Sail,  and  Wor- 
stead  ;  the  last  of  these  is  much  damaged.  The  tabernacled  cover 
at  Almondbury,  W.  R.  Yorks.,  is  another  lofty  example,  whilst  the 
restored  Perpendicular  font  cover  at  Thirsk  actually  attains  to  the 
height  of  2 1  feet. 

Permanent  covers,  or  those  which  rest  permanently  on  the  font, 
the  sides  being  hung  on  hinges  to  open  when  the  font  is  required  for 
use,  are  also  well  illustrated  in  England  by  examples  of  the  later 
Perpendicular,  and  Elizabethan  or  Jacobean  periods.  There  is  a 
magnificent  canopy  of  this  kind  at  Ticehurst,  Sussex,  elaborately 
panelled,  with  flamboyant  tracery  of  I5th-cent.  date  ;  it  is  of 
octagonal  shape,  and  four  of  the  side  panels  are  hinged  for  opening. 
Three  fine  instances  of  this  kind  of  cover  may  be  noticed  in  Norfolk, 
namely,  the  much-enriched  one   at  Terrington  St.  Clement,   and 


FONT   COVERS 


233 


those  of  Southacre  and  Knapton.  The  same  style  of  cover  may 
also  be  observed  at  Hepworth,  Suffolk  ;  at  Thaxted  and  Littlebury, 
Essex  ;  at  Newington,  Kent  ;  and  at  Battle,  Sussex. 

At  Shaugh  Prior,  Devon,  there  is  a  beautiful  I5th-cent.  font 
cover  rescued  from  a  farm  loft  in  1878  ;  it  is  of  octagonal  form  and 
of  three  stages,  with  a  height  of  nearly  9  feet. 

The  highly  remarkable  early  i6th-cent.  font  cover  at  Radbourne, 
Derbs.,  came  from  the  neighbouring  Premonstratensian  Abbey  of 
Dale,  the  nave  of  whose  conventual  church  had  been  used  for 
parochial  purposes.  The 
cover  is  of  octagonal  pyra- 
midal design,  and  richly 
carved  ;  four  of  the  medal- 
lions on  the  sides  bear  the 
evangelic  symbols.  The 
lower  part  of  the  cover  is 
not  open,  but  has  a  hand- 
somely carved  flat  octagon 
panel ;  on  a  shield  in  the 
centre  of  this  is  a  cross 
bearing  the  Crown  of  Thorns 
and  pierced  Heart,  and  it  is 
flanked  by  the  Four  Wounds 
on  Hands  and  Feet.^ 

The  early  Jacobean  font 
cover  of  Swimbridge,  North 
Devon,  rising  from  the  oak 

casement  of  the  font  itself,  is  the  finest  example  of  its  kind.  In 
addition  to  the  actual  cover  there  is  a  beautifully  carved  canopy 
projecting  from  the  adjacent  tier.  The  nature  of  this  elaborate 
piece  of  workmanship  can  be  better  gathered  from  the  illus- 
tration than  from  any  letterpress.  A  curious  kind  of  open- 
work ornament  on  the  top  of  the  cover  may  fairly  often  be 
noticed  on  flat  font  covers  in  different  parts  of  the  kingdom.  An 
instance  of  this  occurs  on  the  cover  to  the  font  of  Haddon  chapel, 
Derbs.  When  this  kind  of  work  is  noticed  on  a  font  cover,  it  may 
be  safely  assigned  to  the  first  half  of  the  17th  cent. 

The  great  majority,  however,  of  elaborate  i6th  and   17th  cent. 


NORMAN   FONT  AND    I7TH-CENT.    COVER, 
HADDON    CHAPEL,    DERBS. 


It  is  fully  illustrated  and  described  in  Cox's  Derbyshire  Churches,  iii.  252,  pi.  13. 


234        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

covers  were  suspended  from  brackets.  At  Warmingham,  Sussex, 
there  is  now  no  font-cover,  but  a  curious  crane  of  ironwork  for  the 
suspension  of  a  canopy  still  remains.  One  of  the  most  handsome 
of  these  iron  font  cover  cranes  is  that  which  is  still  used  for  the 
canopy  of  the  font  of  St.  Alphege*s,  Canterbury,  as  here  illustrated. 
The  Jacobean  font  cover  at  Hadleigh,  Essex,  is  suspended  from  a 
bracket.  The  lofty  cover  of  the  same  period  in  the  church  of 
Skipton,  W.  R.  Yorks.,  is  suspended  from  the  roof  At  Potter 
Heigham,  Norfolk,  in  the  apex  of  the  roof,  is  the  old  wooden  pulley 
to  raise  the  font  cover,  which  has,  however,  long  since  disappeared. 
In  connection  with  font  covers  of  the  latter  part  of  the  reign  of 


FONT-CRANE   IN   ST   ALPHEGE'S   CHURCH, 
CANTERBURY 


FONT   AND  COVER,    CANTERBURY 
CATHEDRAL 


James  I.,  two  very  beautiful  examples  must  not  be  forgotten, 
namely,  the  one  at  Walpole  St.  Peter,  Norfolk,  and  the  other  at 
Burgh,  Lines.,  which  is  dated  1623. 

Immediately  after  the  Restoration,  a  variety  of  fonts  were 
ornamented  with  lofty  covers,  such  as  those  of  Rothwell,  W.  R. 
Yorks.,  and  Northallerton,  N.  R.  Yorks.,  both  of  which  are  dated 
1662.  The  font  cover  in  the  nave  of  Canterbury  cathedral  of  this 
period  is  by  far  the  most  elaborate  example  extant  ;  it  is  of  con- 
siderable height  and  bears  the  figures  of  the  Twelve  Apostles,  the 
whole  being  crowned  with  a  figure  of  our  Saviour  in  the  act  of 
blessing  little  children.     The  whole  work,  as  well  as  the  font  itself 


HOLY-WATER   STOUPS  235 

and  a  crane  for  the  cover,  possesses  considerable  merit  of  its 
kind.* 

It  would  take  a  volume  to  describe  the  various  forms  of  covers 
that  came  into  use  during  the  17th  and  i8th  cents.  Some  show 
a  certain  degree  of  artistic  skill,  but  more  are  poor  and  debased.  A 
curious  kind  of  slightly  domed  cover  of  1662  date  is  shown  in 
connection  with  the  illustration  already  given  of  Wirksworth  font. 

There  is  a  heavy  pyramidal  cover,  dated  1688,  at  Sefton,  Lanes. 

Metal  font  covers  are  rare  in  this  country.  An  iron  font  canopy 
of  singularly  beautiful  floral  design  was  given  to  the  church  of 
St.  Werburgh's,  Derby,  in  171  i.f  The  1729  font  of  the  chapel 
of  Dulwich  College  has  a  copper  cover.  We  recently  noticed  at 
the  new  church  of  Alcombe,  West  Somerset,  a  well-designed  brass 
cover  to  a  font ;  this  is  a  fashion  that  might  with  advantage  be 
followed,  provided  the  designs  are  simple. 

Very  rarely  the  place  of  the  font  cover  was  taken  by  a  structural 
canopy,  standing  free  of  the  font.  The  earliest  of  these  is  at  Luton  ; 
it  is  an  octagonal  structure  of  stone,  surmounted  by  a  pyramidal 
roof,  and  is  of  early  I4th-cent.  date.  Other  examples,  all  of  wood 
and  of  very  elaborate  detail,  are  to  be  seen  at  St.  Peter  Mancroft, 
Norwich,  at  Trunch,  and  at  Durham  cathedral.  The  last  is 
Renaissance  in  detail  as  to  its  lower  stage  of  eight  Corinthian 
pillars  carrying  an  octagonal  cornice,  but  the  spire  of  open  work 
which  crowns  it  is  Gothic  in  character ;  it  is  quite  possible  that  it 
is  all  of  the  same  date,  as  the  use  of  Gothic  detail  in  woodwork 
survived  in  the  county  of  Durham  till  quite  late  in  the  i6th  cent. 

HOLY-WATER   STOUPS 

Stoups  for  holy  water  were  of  two  kinds,  namely,  those  that 
were  portable,  and  those  that  were  stationary.  In  the  former  case 
the  stoup,  carried  by  the  parish  clerk,  was  of. metal;  in  the  latter 
case  it  Was  usually  a  bason  of  stone.  We  are  here  concerned  only 
with  the  latter  division,  as  the  portable  stoup  has  been  dealt  with 
and  illustrated  in  Abbot  Gasquet's  volume  of  this  series  on  Parish 
Life  in  Mediceval  England. 

The  holy-water  stoup  for  the  use  of  those  entering  the  church, 
"as  a  symbol    of  the  purity  of  soul  with  which  they  ought  to 

*  This  font  is  fully  described  in  Cox's  Canterbury,  187,  188. 

t  It  is  described  and  illustrated  in  Cox's  Derbyshire  Churches.,  iv.  179,  and  pi.  7. 


236 


ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


Blyford, 


approach  the  place  where  His  Majesty  dwelt,"  occurs  most 
frequently  —  usually  mutilated  by  Puritan  malevolence  —  within 
the  porch  on  the  right-hand  side,  where  a  stone  bason  within 
a  small  niche  was  placed  in  the  wall  at  a  convenient  height. 
Occasionally  the  stoup  is  on  the  right-hand  side  on  the  inner 
wall  of  the  church  immediately  as  you  enter.  Very  rarely  is  it 
found  on  the  left-hand  side,  as  in  the  porch  of  Crowle,  Worcs. 
In  the  case  of  Irthlingborough,  Northants,  there  are  trefoil-headed 
stoup  niches,  one  on  each  side  of  the  west  door. 

These  stoups,  the  remains  of  which  are  numerous  in  some 
counties,  are  of  all  architectural  periods.  Many  Norman  ones 
may  be  mentioned  :  such  are  those  at  the  entrance  to  the  churches 
of  Bricklehampton,  Worcs. ;  Stanton  Harcourt  and  St.  Peter's, 
Oxon. ;  Barton-on-the- Heath,  War  wicks. ;  Eaton  Socon,  Beds. ; 
Suffolk ;  Great  Gidding,  Hunts ;  and  Thorpe-by- 
Newark,  Notts.  In  the  south  porch  of 
Broughton  Astley  church,  Leics.,  there  is 
a  fine  Norman  stoup,  consisting  of  a 
slender  shaft  covered  with  chevron 
moulding  with  a  cushion  capital,  which 
is  hollowed  out  to  form  a  bason. 

At  the  north  entrance  to  Wembury 
church,  Devon,  is  an  uncommon  Norman 
example.  A  partly  engaged  shaft  is 
built  into  the  wall,  the  width  at  the  top 
being  18  inches,  whilst  the  bason  has  a 
diameter  of  12  inches. 

Both  basons  and  niches  of  these 
stoups  are  often  so  severely  plain  that 
their  date  cannot  be  detected.  There  is 
one  of  the  earlier  part  of  the  13th  cent, 
at  Horsepath,  Oxon.  ;  v/hilst  a  beautiful 
and  most  uncommon  example  of  the 
same  period  is  to  be  seen  in  the  porch 
of  Harlton  St.  Mary,  Cambs. 
By  the  side  of  the  south  door  of  East  Dean  church,  Sussex,  is 
a  trefoil-headed  niche  over  a  stoup,  the  cusps  being  tipped  with 
ball-flower  ornament,  so  characteristic  of  work  of  the  early  part  of 
the  14th  cent.  Other  examples  of  this  century  occur  at  Hinton, 
Berks. ;  and  at  Edgecote  and  Bozeat,  Northants.     In  the  porch  of 


HARLTON,    CAMBS. 


HOLY-WATER   STOUPS 


m 


St.  Ive,  Cornwall,  is  an  ogee-trefoiled  arched  niche,  of  early  14th- 
cent.  date ;  the  bason  is  missing. 

There  are  a  large  number  of  holy-water  stoup  niches  in  the 
churches  of  Blything  Hundred,  Suffolk  ;  but  they  are  all  small 
and  quite  plain,  save  the  one  at  Frostenden,  which  has  a  cinquefoil, 
and  the  one  at  Yoxford,  which  has  a  trefoil  head. 

At  Caldecote,  Essex,  in  the  south  porch,  is  an  exceptionally 
large  and  ornate  canopy  over  the  stoup,  about  6  feet  high.     It 


Ik  1 


ENDELLION,    CORNWALL 


appears  to  be  of  the  reign  of  Richard  II.  To  the  same  date 
belongs  another  good  one  in  the  west  porch  of  Albury  in  the  same 
county.  At  Peering,  Essex,  there  is  a  fine  I5th-cent.  stoup  by 
the  north  door,  and  at  Thorley,  Essex,  is  another  late  one  by  the 
west  door.  Other  examples  of  the  same  century  are  to  be  noted 
at  Bourne,  Lines,  (two) ;  Northborough  and  Cogenhoe,  Northants ; 
Ewelme,  Beckley,  and  Minster  Lovell,  Oxon. ;  and  Hartland,  Devon. 

In  Parker's  Glossary  an  illustration  is  given  of  the  late  well- 
moulded  stoup  niche  at  Pylle,  Somerset,  with  a  leaden  bason 
within  it. 

Cornwall  possesses  two   beautifully  wrought   heraldic   stoups, 


238 


ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


c.  1500.  In  the  inner  south  wall  of  the  church  of  Endellion, 
immediately  to  the  east  of  the  chief  entrance,  is  a  projecting  stoup 
of  dark  Catacleuse  stone,  most  beautifully  carved  with  acorns  and 
with  three  coats  of  arms.  The  arms  are  those  of  the  families 
of  Roscarrock,  Chenduit,  and  Pentire.  The  Roscarrocks,  of 
Roscarrock,  in  this  parish,  were  one  of  the  most  anciently  estab- 
lished of  Cornish  families.  John  Roscarrock,  who  was  knight  of 
the  shire  temp.  Edward  I.,  married  Alice,  heiress  of  the  Chenduit 
family,  lords  of  another  manor  in  the  parish.  Their  great-grand- 
son, John  Roscarrock,  who  was  sheriff  of  the  county  temp. 
Henry  VII.,  married  Alice,  daughter  of  John  Pentire.  Thus  we 
get  the  approximate  date  of  this,  the  most  interesting  of  English 
stoups.    A  less  elaborate  example,  doubtless  executed  by  the  same 

sculptor,  is  the  stoup  of  dark  Cata- 
cleuse stone  in  the  inner  south  wall 
of  the  church  of  St.  Issey  ;  an  angel 
holds  an  impaled  shield,  but  no  arms 
remain  ;  the  bearings  were  most  likely 
painted  and  not  in  any  way  en- 
graved. 

Occasionally  the  porch  angle  is 
occupied  by  a  substantial  block  of 
moulded  masonry,  the  top  of  which  is 
hollowed  for  the  holy-water  bason. 
A  good  I5th-cent.  instance  of  this 
occurs  in  the  south  porch  of  Wootton 
Courtney  church,  Somerset.  At  Clay- 
wx)rth  St.  Peter,  Lines.,  the  holy-water 
stoup  also  takes  the  form  of  a  pillar 
with  hoUowed-out  bowl. 
Fairly  large-sized  moulded  stoups,  somewhat  after  the  fashion 
of  small  fonts,  were  used  in  the  interior  of  some  of  our  churches. 
There  is  one  in  the  famed  Yorkshire  church  of  Lastingham,  and 
another  in  the  York  Museum,  which  came  from  St.  Mary's  abbey 
of  that  city.  In  two  or  three  instances  there  is  little  doubt  that 
such  detached  benetiers  have  been  by  error  turned  into  fonts.  This 
is  undoubtedly  the  case  at  Moresby,  Cumberland,  where  a  large 
stoup,  of  the  time  of  Henry  III.,  is  now  used  as  a  baptismal  font, 
and  also  at  Thorpe-by-Newark,  Notts.  Contrariwise,  the  unusually 
large  stoup,  built  into  the  wall  of  the  I5th-cent.  north  porch  of 


WOOTTON   COURTNEY,    SOMERSET 


HOLY-WATER   STOUPS 


239 


sometimes   a   sprinkler,   or 

At  Wiglon,   near   Boston, 

'  a  chain  of  iron  with  a  holy 


LASTINGHAM,    N.    R.   YORKS. 


Liskeard  church,  Cornwall,  was  originally  a  plain  Norman  font. 
There  are  several  stoups  worth  noting  in  the  south-east  part  of 
Cornwall,  as  at  Shevioc,  Callington,  Lansallos,  Saltash,  St.  Neot, 
and  St.  Cleer. 

It   would   appear  that   there   was 
aspersormniy   attached   to   the   stoup. 
Lines.,  the  churchwardens  purchased 
water  stick  "  for  the  south  door. 

In  some  cases  small  detached  stoups,  which  doubtless  originally 
stood    on    brackets  or   pedestals,   remain  ; 
there  is  a  good  early  example  at  Lasting- 
ham,  Yorks. 

The  increased  reverence  for  antiquity, 
and  particularly  for  vessels  that  formerly 
had  a  religious  use,  which  has  happily 
manifested  itself  during  recent  years,  may 
have  its  drawbacks  when  put  into  operation 
by  those  who  have  but  little  archaeological 
experience.  This  is  a  caution  worth  re- 
membering with  regard  to  holy-water  stoups.  Every  homestead  in 
mediaeval  and  later  days  used  to  possess  its  mortar  or  mortars  of 
some  hard  stone,  usually  ribbed  at  the  angles,  wherein  vegetables, 
etc.,  were  pounded  for  domestic  use,  or  meal  for  the  pigs.  It  would 
be  unkind  to  give  the  names,  but  there  are  various  churches,  parti- 
cularly in  the  west  of  England,  where  domestic  mortars,  discovered 
of  recent  years  in  different  parts  of  the  parish,  have  found  their  way 
into  the  House  of  God,  and  are  placed  at  the  foot  of  fonts  or  else- 
where, under  the  fond  belief  that  they  were  discarded  holy-water 
stoups.  One  instance  may  be  cited  without  giving  offence,  as  the 
stoups  in  this  case  are  in  the  churchyard  and  absurdly  numerous.  In 
the  churchyard  of  the  once  sand-buried  church  of  St.  Enodock,  on 
the  eastern  shore  of  the  Pad'stow  estuary,  Cornwall,  is  a  double 
row  of  mediaeval  stone  mortars,  of  various  sizes  and  dates,  mounted 
on  pedestals,  flanking  the  path  to  the  porch.  They  have  been 
found  in  the  neighbouring  sand-hills,  and  placed  here  under  the 
idea  that  they  were  all  holy-water  stoups. 

At  Yeaveley,  Derbs.,  a  large  farmyard  mortar,  for  the  braying 
of  grain,  etc.,  has  actually  been  placed  on  a  pedestal  in  the  church, 
and  is  now  used  as  a  font ! 


CHAPTER  VII 

ALMS   BOXES,   OFFERTORY   BOXES,   AND   COLLECTING 

BOXES 


ALMS  BOXES 

THERE   are  but  a  few  pre- Reformation  alms  boxes  left  in 
our  churches,  none  of  which  are  older  than  the  1 5th  cent. 
The  best  of  these,  which  has  been  several  times  illustrated, 
is  the  substantial,  tall  example  in  the  church  of  Blythburgh,  Suffolk. 
It  has  been  constructed  to  stand  against  a  wall,  and  has  three 
traceried  panels  in  front.     Both  wood  and  iron  work  are  in  fairly 

good  condition  ;  it  dates  from  the 
time  when  this  church  was  rebuilt 
on  so  grand  a  scale  about  1475. 

Other  alms  boxes  which  are  of 
late  15  th  or  early  i6th-cent.  date 
are  at  Cawston,  Loddon,  Wickmere, 
Norfolk ;  Hunsdon,  Herts ;  East 
Kirby,  Lines. ;  Mears  Ashby,  North- 
ants  ;  and  Selby,  Yorks.  These 
boxes  are  always  of  oak,  save  at 
St.  George's,  Windsor,  where  there 
is  a  I5th-cent.  receptacle  of  iron. 

The  poor  box  at  Keddington, 
Worcs.,  is  an  upright  log,  roughly 
shaped  into  an  octagon  with  the 
lower  part  buried  in  the  ground. 
At  Colston,  Notts.,  there  is  a  dis- 
carded alms  box  under  the  tower, 
apparently  15  th  cent.  The  poor 
box  of  Smarden  church,  Kent, 
has   three   locks,  and   is   fastened   by  a  strong  iron  clamp  to  a 

240 


BLYTHBURGH,   SUFFOLK 


ALMS    BOXES 


241 


pedestal  of  solid  oak.  The  church  accounts  name  it  in  1553 — 
"mending  a  lock  of  the  pore  man's  box  ijd."  But  it  is  chiefly 
remarkable  for  having  a  curious  enamel  on  copper  fastened  to  the 
lid.  It  is  supposed  that  this  plate  once  formed  part  of  a  series  of 
subjects  attached  to  the  shrine  of  a  saint.  The  enamel  represents 
the  baptism  of  an  infant.  From  the  rich  blue  and  general  work- 
manship it  is  supposed  that  it  came  from  the  celebrated  works  of 
Limoges.  The  hole  for  money  in  the  enamel  plate,  which  was  by 
no  means  infrequent  in  shrines,  probably  suggested  the  utilizing  of 
this  enamel  for  the  alms  box  of  Edward  VI.'s  orderinsf. 

There  are  a  few  dated  examples  of  the  Elizabethan  period. 
The  exceptionally  strong  alms  box  at  Dovercourt,  Essex,  is  dated 
1589;  and  that  of  Bramford,  Suffolk,  1591.  Perhaps  the  most 
interesting  one  of  this  reign  is  at  Hargrave,  Northants ;  it  bears 
on  the  north  side,  God  save  the  queue ;  on  the  west,  Thomas 
Mahezv  hoc  fieri  fecit  1597  ;  and  on  the  south.  Pray  for  the  good 
estate  of  all  well  doers. 

Seventeenth-cent,  instances,  both  dated  and  undated,  are  fairly 
numerous  and  often  bear  the  legend  Remember  the  poor.  Sedbergh, 
W.  R.  Yorks.,  is  dated  1633;  Marton,  Rutland,  1637;  Watton, 
Norfolk,  1639  ;  and  Halifax,  Yorks.,  1689. 

Against  the  pier  by  the  south  entrance  of  Lostwithiel  church, 
Cornwall,  is  a  singular  oak  alms  box 
which  stands  38  inches  high,  apart 
from  the  modern  box  now  affixed  to 
the  summit.  On  the  upper  face  is 
the  following,  in  raised  characters : 
W.  T.  Maier,  1645.  The  lower  part 
represents  a  clumsily  executed  human 
figure  with  hands  erected,  bearing  a 
large  uncharged  shield.  On  one  side 
of  the  upper  part  were  the  initials 
R.  L.  Outside  the  south  porch  is  the 
tomb  of  the  donor  of  this  poor's  box, 
consisting  of  a  substantial  granite 
chest  tomb,  with  a  somewhat  muti- 
lated covering  slab  of  slate,  having  a 

well-cut  floral  border  of  rose  and  thistle.  The  inscription  is 
partially  obliterated,  but  commemorates  William  Taprell  {of)ten 
Mayor  of  this  Borough. 


WATTON,    NORFOLK 


242        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

The  boxes  of  Watton  and  Halifax  are  also  held  by  wooden 
figures  of  a  beggar. 

At  St.  Teath,  Cornwall,  is  a  remarkable  early  I7th-cent.  alms 
box.  It  is  an  oak  box,  ii  inches  cube,  and  bears  the  inscription 
Remember  the  poor.  The  sides  are  painted  with  quaint  figures 
of  a  lame  beggar  and  of  two  other  poverty-stricken  persons. 

At  Tunworth,  Hants,  the  square  alms  box  of  i7th-cent.  design 
has  a  quaintly  carved  human  face  on  two  of  the  sides  with  open 
lips,  which  serve  as  the  money  slots. 

There  is  a  remarkable  alms  box  at  Poynings,  Sussex,  dated 
1760,  standing  on  a  fluted  column  or  pedestal  2  feet  10  inches 
high ;  the  box  itself,  which  is  of  oak,  is  carved  with  emblematical 
figures  on  all  four  sides  and  on  the  top.  It  is  of  foreign  workman- 
ship, and  was  brought  here  from  the  continent. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  some  of  the  more  remarkable  alms 
boxes : — 

Alton,  Hants.     Over  the  old  poor  box  is  a  wooden  tablet  inscribed  with 

the  text  from  Tobit  iv.  7. 
Aspenden,  Herts.     Elizabethan,  two  locks. 
Aylestone,  Leics.     161 3.     Remember  the  poor. 
Barnby,  Yorks.     Lend  to  the  Lord ;    remember  the  poor  give  to  yd" selves. 

17  th  cent. 
Barrow,  Salop. 

Basingstoke,  Hants.     Elizabethan. 
Blythburgh,  Suffolk.     Pre-Reformation. 
Bletchley,  Bucks.     1637.     Remember  the  pore. 
Bramfield,  Suffolk. 
Bramford,  Suffolk.     1591. 
Britsmorton,  Worcs. 

Broadway,  Worcs.     Early,  with  two  locks. 
Buckland  Newton,  Dorset. 
Car  Colston,  Notts.     15th  cent.     Discarded. 

Cawston,  Norfolk.     Pre-Reformation,  on  an  octagon  shaft,  three  locks. 
Church  Langton,  Leics. 
Clapham,  Beds.     /.  W.,  1626. 
Coventry,  Trinity  church.     Elizabethan. 
Dean,  Beds. 

Dovercourt,  Essex.     1589. 
Drayton,  Berks.     Elizabethan. 
Eaking,  Notts.     17 18.     Remember  Ye  Poor. 
Fakenham,  Norfolk.     1665. 
Gooderston,  Norfolk.     Ancient  alms  box. 


OFFERTORY    BOXES  243 

Halifax,  Yorks.     Figure  of  a  beggar. 

Harbledown,  Kent.     Hospital. 

Hickling,  Notts.     Remember  the  poor, 

Hodnet,  Salop.     Old  oak.     Remember  the  Poore.     H.  F,  16^^.     R.  B. 

Hunsdon,  Herts.     Pre-Reformation. 

Kedington,  Worcs.     Formed  out  of  a  log. 

East  Kirby,  Lines.     Pre-Reformation. 

Leicester,  Trinity  Hospital. 

Litcham,  Norfolk.     Three  locks. 

Loddon,  Norfolk.     Pre-Reformation. 

Lostwithiel,  Cornwall.     1645. 

Ludham,  Norfolk.     Early,  trunk   of  tree,  banded   with   iron,  four  great 

padlocks. 
Manton,  Rutland.     1637. 

Meare,  Somerset.     Poor  box,  beautifully  carved.  ■ 
Mears  Ashby,  Northants.     Pre-Reformation. 
Middleton,  Chester.     1682. 
Mileham,  Norfolk.     Three  locks.     1639. 
Neen  Sollars,  Salop. 
Prinhoe,  Devon. 
Reading,  St.  Mary,  Berks. 
Sedburgh,  W.  R.  Yorks.     1633. 
Selby,  W.  R.  Yorks. 
Spaxton,   Somerset.      Remarkable    early    alms   chest    with    three    locks, 

illustrated,  Som.  Arc.  Soc.  four.,  vol.  viii. 
St.  Teath,  Cornwall.     Painted  beggars.     17th  cent. 
Stamford,  Browne's  Hospital,  Lines. 
Stoke  Hammond,  Berks.     16 19. 
Sutton  St.  Mary,  Lines.     17 12. 
Tunworth,  Hants.     Described  above. 
Up-Nately,  Hants.     Painted.     17th  century. 
Watton,  Norfolk.     Figure  of  beggar.      1639. 
WelUngton,  Salop. 
Wickmere,  Norfolk. 

Winchcombe,  Glos.     Singular,  three  locks,  c.  1547. 
Windsor,  Berks.     Iron. 
Wootton,  Kent.     Poor  box,  1662. 
Walpole  St.  Peter's,  Norfolk.     1639.     Remember  the  poore  on  three  faces. 


OFFERTORY    BOXES 

Brief  mention  must  also  be  made  of  another  kind  of  church 
money  box  which  were  in  frequent  use  in  mediaeval  days.  In  the 
case  of  objects  of  special  devotion — particularly  when  they  were  of 


244        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


sufficient  importance  to  bring  about  pilgrimages — it  was  customary 
to  place  a  receptacle  for  the  money  offerings  of  the  faithful  at  the 
foot  of  the  special  image  or  reliquary.  It  need  not  be  imagined 
that  these  offerings  were  the  perquisite  of  some  greedy  priest  in 
charge  or  other  attendant,  because  in  a  large  number  of  cases  it  is 
known  that  careful  accounts  were  kept  of  money  receipts  and  the 
church  purposes  to  which  they  were  devoted.  For  instance,  among 
the  unpublished  sacrists'  rolls  of  the  Benedictine  cathedral  church 
of  Norwich,  entries  abound  as  to  the  receipts  of  the  various  boxes 
{truncce)  which  stood  in  the  different  parts  of  the  building.  In 
1343  the  box  ad crucein  obtained  £2\  195-.  7^.,  the  box  ad  reliquiaSy 
£y  8j-.  2\d.y  the  one  at  the  image  of  St.  Osyth,  £'^  6s.  4^d.,  and  at 
the  image  of  St.  Hippolytus,  lis.  jd.\  whilst  the  lowest  of  the 
offerings  before  several  other  images  were  those  of  St.  Catherine, 
\\d.,  and  St.  Anne,  \d. 

As  might  naturally  be  supposed,  all  traces  of  wooden  offering 

boxes  of  this  description  disap- 
peared at  the  time  of  the  Refor- 
mation ;  but  it  is  of  particular 
interest  to  note  that  in  three  cases 
where  the  boxes  or  receptacles 
were  of  stone,  the  examples  still 
remain.  The  most  interesting  of 
these  is  the  stone  offertory  box 
with  an  adjoining  bracket  for  an 
image  on  the  south-east  pier  of 
the  nave  of  Bridlington  church, 
E.  R.  Yorks. ;  it  is  fully  described 
in  the  Journal  of  the  Associated  Architectural  Societies,  Iv.  19. 
There  are  traces  of  it  having  had  a  wooden  inner  casing.  The 
second  instance  occurs  in  the  desolate  little  church  of  Speeton, 
E.  R.  Yorks.,  where  there  is  a  rude  projecting  square  money  box 
by  the  side  of  an  image  bracket  on  the  east  wall,  over  which  are 
the  remains  of  a  niche  and  a  canopy.  The  third  instance  is  that 
of  the  stone  offertory  box  affixed  in  the  monument  of  Edward  II. 
in  Gloucester  cathedral.  Miracles  are  said  to  have  occurred  at  his 
tomb,  and  so  large  were  the  offerings,  that  the  choir  was  vaulted 
during  the  abbacy  of  Adam  de  Staunton  (1337-51)  with  these 
contributions. 

At  Wensley,  N.  R.  Yorks.,  there  Is  an  almery  or  cupboard  of 


BRIDLINGTON,    E.    R.    YORKS. 


COLLECTING    BOXES  245 

oak,  having  an  upper  and  lower  compartment,  with  doors  at  one 
end,  and  a  bracketed  projecting  money  box  for  offerings  in  the 
front ;  this  was  probably  a  cupboard  containing  relics. 


COLLECTING  BOXES 

It  is  not  known  when  those  "  erratic  ecclesiastical  receptacles," 
such  as  collecting  boxes  and  alms  dishes  or  basins,  which  have  of 
late  made  way  for  "  offertory  bags,"  first  came  into  use  for  the 
peripatetic  collecting  of  the  alms  of  the  faithful.  The  first  Re- 
formed Prayer-book  of  the  Church  of  England  (1549)  provided 
certain  sentences  of  Holy  Scripture  "  to  bee  song  whiles  the  people 
doo  offer  "  during  the  Communion  or  Mass.  But  no  collecting  of 
the  alms  by  wardens  or  clerk  was  contemplated,  for  a  rubric  after 
the  sentences  says,  "  In  the  meane  tyme,  whyles  the  Clerkes  do 
syng  the  Offertory,  so  many  as  are  disposed  shall  offer  unto  the 
poor  mennes  boxe  every  one  accordynge  to  his  habilitie  and 
charitable  mynde."  Probably  the  confusion  that  arose  from  the 
congregation  gathering  round  the  fixed  poor  box  caused  this 
direction  to  be  shortly  repealed.  In  the  second  Reformed  Prayer- 
book  (1552),  it  is  ordered  that  "Then  shal  the  Churche  wardens, 
or  some  other  by  them  appointed;  gather  the  devotion  of  the 
people  and  put  the  same  into  the  pore  mens  boxe."  The  rubric 
providing  that  the  alms  were  to  be  collected  "  in  a  decent  basin  to 
be  provided  by  the  parish  for  that  purpose  "  by  the  wardens,  who 
were  to  "reverently  bring  it  to  the  priest,"  is  only  of  1662  date. 
Latten  or  pewter  dishes  or  basins  were  the  usual  receptacles 
provided  by  the  wardens  for  collecting  purposes. 

Some  churches,  however,  at  a  comparatively  early  date,  used 
collecting  boxes  of  wood,  of  which  several  examples  remain.  Some 
interesting  specimens  were  described  and  illustrated  by  Mr.  Syer 
Cuming  in  the  thirty-first  volume  of  the  Journal  of  the  British 
ArchcBological  Association.  At  Blythburgh,  Suffolk,  is  (or  was) 
the  most  ornate  specimen  ;  judging  from  the  ornamentation  of 
trefoils  within  circles,  it  would  appear  to  be  of  pre-Reformation 
date,  but  this  is  unlikely.  It  measures  12J  inches  to  the  end  of 
the  haft,  which  is  trefoiled  and  perforated  for  suspension.  The 
whole  surface  has  been  painted  red,  which  is  also  the  case  with 
plainer  examples  at  Earl  Stonham  and  Kelsale,  Suffolk,  and  at 
East  H.arling,  Norfolk.    The  old  collecting  box  of  the  church  of 


246        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Bllckling,  Norfolk,  is  of  a  heart  shape,  and  painted  blue,  with 
Pray  remember  the  pore,  92,  lettered  in  gold.  The  "  92 "  is 
evidently  an  abbreviation  for  1692.  There  used  to  be  two  plain 
examples  at  the  Derbyshire  parochial  chapels  of  Alsop-en-le-Dale 
and  Mellor,  both  bearing  the  date  1662  ;  they  were  extant  in 
the  middle  of  last  century,  but  are  now  lost  or  hidden  away  in 
private  hands.  At  Chelmorton  in  this  county  there  is  one  of  these 
boxes  dated  1685. 

The  church  of  Marnhull,  Dorset,  still  retains  its  old  portable 
collecting  box.  It  is  made  of  oak,  and  measures  8  inches  by 
6|  inches,  with  a  depth  of  i  inch.  The  top  is  partly  covered  in, 
and  it  has  a  handle  like  other  examples.  Round  the  edge  is 
inscribed,  He  that  hath  pitye  on  the  poore  lendeth  unto  y^  Lord 
and  that  which  he  hath  given.  .  .  .  On  the  top  is,  Praye  Remember 
the  Poore,  T.  S,  Underneath  is.  Given  by  T.  South  ye  first  of 
May,  1633. 

At  Holy  Trinity,  Guildford,  are  a  pair  of  i/th-cent.  wooden 
collecting  boxes,  with  the  letter  "  S  "  on  the  handle  and  an  orna- 
mental roundel  on  the  covered  part  of  the  box. 

At  Nutfield,  Surrey,  are  two  wooden  i/th-cent.  collecting 
boxes,  with  handles,  9J  inches  long ;  each  is  inscribed  Pray 
Remember  the  Poore,  Notfeild. 

At  Milton-by-Sittingbourne,  Kent,  is  one  of  these  boxes 
inscribed  Give  Willingly,  and  at  Borden,  in  the  same  county, 
another  one  inscribed  Give  Frely. 

A  collecting  box  at  Newport,  1.  of  Wight,  is  dated  1635, 
and  one  at  Sidbury,  Salop.,  1639. 

When  Bishop  Nicholson  was  at  Kirkoswald,  Cumberland,  in 
1704,  he  took  notice  of  "  A  Couple  of  handsome  Platters  of  Lignum 
Vitce  for  the  Collection  of  Almes  and  Oblations."  These  excep- 
tional wooden  platters  still  remain  in  the  church. 

At  Kirkby  Stephen  are  two  curious  little  collecting  trays  of 
wood,  about  9  inches  square  ;  on  one  is  rudely  carved  CMWLTH 
(Commonwealth). 

There  are  two  collecting  boxes  of  pewter,  dated  1696,  in  the 
church  of  Bunbury,  Chester. 

Mr.  Brigg,  of  Kildwick  Hall,  Keighley,  has  a  pewter  collecting 
box,  which  used  to  form  one  of  a  set  of  four  belonging  to  a  church 
in  the  Troutbeck  valley. 

The   collecting  box   of   Whaddon   church,  Bucks.,   is   shovel- 


COLLECTINCx    BOX, 
HOLY    TRINITY,    GUILDFORD 


COLLFXTING    BOXES  247 

shaped,  and,  including  handle,  is  14I  inches  long.  At  the  base  of 
the  handle  is  carved  R.  P.  1643. 

Hone  described  and  illustrated  the  Beckenham,  Kent,  collecting 
box  in  his  Table  Book,  published  in  1827  ;  it  was  then  in  use.  It 
bears  the  date  1696,  and  also  a  statement  that  it  was  repaired  in 
1797. 

There  were  several  interesting  boxes  of  this  description  in  the 
collection  of  the  English  Church  History  Exhibition  at  St.  Albans 
in  the  summer  of  1905.  They  included  one  from  Ubberston, 
Suffolk,  with  the  letters  M.  W.  (Mathew  Wright  was  church- 
warden, 1683),  and  i8th-cent.  examples  from  Aldenham  and 
Anstey,  Herts,  Coneysthorpe,  Yorks.,  and  St.  Mary  Coslaney, 
Norwich.  There  was  also  exhibited  one  of  a  set  of  four  i8th-cent. 
copper  collecting  boxes,  formerly  used  in  Wem  church,  Salop. 


CHAPTER  VIII 

THRONES  AND  CHAIRS— STALLS  AND  MISERICORDS- 
SEATS  AND  BENCHES— PEWS— GALLERIES— CHURCH 
CHESTS 

THRONES  AND   CHAIRS 

IN  secular  cathedrals,  and  in  at  least  one  monastic  one,  a  special 
wooden  seat  or  throne  was  provided  for  the  bishop,  on  the 
south  side  of  the  quire,  east  of  the  stalls.  The  earliest,  that 
at  Hereford,  is  a  plain  and  simple  seat,  the  others  are  provided 
with  lofty  canopies.  The  most  important,  that  at  Exeter,  is  a  splen- 
did piece  of  early  I4th-cent.  joinery  (Bishop  Stapleton,  1308-27), 
which  rises  pyramidally  to  a  height  of  57  feet.  Of  a  different 
character  and  material,  though  of  the  same  period,  is  that  which 
Bishop  Hatfield  (1345-81)  presented  to  his  cathedral  of  Durham. 
This  is  a  massive  stone  structure,  completely  filling  the  third  arch 
from  the  west,  on  the  south  side  of  the  quire.  It  has  the  bishop's 
tomb  below,  beneath  a  segmental  arch,  and  the  throne  above, 
surrounded  and  surmounted  by  screen  and  tabernacle  work. 

But  the  most  interesting  episcopal  chair  or  throne  in  England, 
and  with  few  rivals  in  all  Christendom,  is  the  great  dignified  stone 
chair  in  Canterbury  cathedral,  formed  of  three  pieces  of  Purbeck 
marble,  usually  known  as  St.  Augustine's  Chair,  wherein,  from 
time  immemorial,  successive  Archbishops  of  Canterbury  have  been 
enthroned.  It  is  also  occasionally  called  Ethelbert's  Chair  ;  for  an 
old  tradition  has  it  that  it  was  not  merely  a  chair  occupied  by  St. 
Augustine,  but  that  it  was  the  throne  on  which  the  old  kings  of 
Kent  were  crowned,  and  that  it  was  given  by  Ethelbert,  on  his 
conversion,  to  St.  Augustine.  It  is  usual  now  to  say  that  from  its 
material,  construction,  and  design,  this  chair  cannot  have  an  earlier 
date  than  the  close  of  the  12th  or  beginning  of  the  13th  cent.  By 
some  it  is  supposed  that  it  was  probably  constructed  for  the  cere- 
mony of  the  Translation  of  St.  Thomas  in  1220.  On  the  other 
hand,  it  is  difficult  to  imagine  for  what  special  purpose  such  a  chair 

248 


i 


THRONES    AND   CHAIRS 


249 


would  be  required  at  the  grand  functions  of  the  Translation,  which 
were  chiefly  of  a  processional  character.  It  should,  too,  be  re- 
membered that  the  monk  Eadmer,  writing  of  the  Saxon  church 
burnt  down  in  1067,  wherein  he  himself  had  been  a  singer,  describes 
"  the  pontifical  chair  constructed  with  handsome  workmanship  and 
of  large  stpnes  and  cement,"  and  specifies  the  exact  position  that  it 


PATRIARCHAL   CHAIR,    CANTERBURY 


then  occupied.  This  description  agrees  with  the  chair  now  extant.* 
For  our  own  part,  after  careful  and  repeated  scrutiny,  and  after 
comparing  the  mouldings,  panellings,  and  general  design  with 
known  instances  of  c.  1200  work,  as  well  as  with  much  earlier  art, 
we  have  no  hesitation  in  expressing  an  opinion  that  the  chair  is  not 
of  the  Early  English  period,  but  of  a  far  older  date.     So  careful  an 

*  See  Cox's  Ca7iterbnry^  177,  178. 


250        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


observer  as  the  late  Mr.  Micklethwaite,  who  was  perhaps  better 
versed  than  any  of  his  contemporaries  in  pre-Norman  work  and 
art  in  England,  stated  definitely  that  he  saw  nothing  impossible 
in  believing  that  this  chair  may  date  back  to  the  days  of  St. 
Augustine. 

Canterbury,  in  its  Royal  Museum,  possesses  another  chair  which 

is  also  associated  with  St.  Augus- 
tine, and  which  has  some  claims 
to  be  considered  a  genuine  relic. 
This   ancient  rude  wooden  chair 
used  to  stand  in  the  chancel  of 
the   church    of   Stanton    Bishop, 
near  Bromyard,  Herefords.,  where 
it  had  for  a  long  time  been  known 
as  "  the  chair  of  Augustine  when 
he  was  in  these  parts  missioning." 
The    story  of  how   it   came  into 
possession  of  Dr.  James  Johnston, 
of  Birmingham,  who  had  known 
the   chair   for  forty  years  before 
purchasing  it,  is  too  long  to  be 
given  here  even   in   the  briefest 
form  ;   or  the  able  arguments,  which   he  marshalled    in  a  small 
volume,  published  by  Cornish  Brothers,  of  Birmingham,  in  favour 
of  the  probability  of  the  truthfulness  of  the  old  tradition.    One  of  the 
writers  of  these  pages  had  the  honour,  a  few  years  ago,  of  exhibiting 
this  ancient  frame  of  woodwork  to  the  Society  of  Antiquaries,  where 
the  fellows  received  it  with  mingled  expressions  of  faith,  scepticism, 
and  uncertainty.     He  was  also  the  means  of  conveying  Mr.  G.  C. 
Cocks  Johnston's  offer  of  the  chair  (after  his  father's   death)  to 
Canterbury  cathedral  to  Dean  Farrar,  and  received  four  interesting 
letters  from  the  late  dean  on  the  subject.     At  first  the  offer  was 
cordially  accepted,  and  the  exact  place  where  it  was  to  stand,  near 
the    Patriarchal    Chair,  decided.     This    acceptance  was,  however, 
subsequently  politely  withdrawn,  chiefly  owing  to  the  strenuous 
opposition  of  a  distinguished  antiquary,  who  pressed  his  sceptical 
criticism  on  the  Dean  and   Chapter.     Dean  Farrar's  letters  were 
marked  "  private,"  on  account  of  a  certain  amount  of  acrimony  that 
C:rept  into  the  discussion  ;  but  it  can  give  offence  to  no  one  to  quote 
one  phrase  from  the  last  letter ;  "  I  still  remain,  personally  and  in 


CHAIR   OF   ST.    AUGUSTINE, 
CANTERBURY 


THRONES    AND    CHAIRS  251 

my  private  capacity,  convinced  that  the  probabilities  of  the  truth- 
fulness of  the  tradition  as  to  the  chair,  as  set  forth  in  Mr.  Johnston's 
book  and  strengthened  by  your  statements  and  references,  far  out- 
weigh the  improbabilities.  At  all  events,  I  am  thankful  to  know 
that  the  chair  is  coming  to  Canterbury."  Canterbury  citizens  may 
fairly  be  proud  of  having  secured  this  ancient  chair  for  their 
museum.  The  two  most  eminent  antiquaries  that  the  city  possesses, 
Dr.  Sebastian  Evans  and  Mr.  Bennett-Goldney,  F.S.A.,  have 
recently  written  :  "  Nothing  in  its  construction  or  state  of  preserva- 
tion forbids  the  belief  that  it  is  in  fact  the  identical  chair  in  which 
St.  Augustine  sat  during  his  conference  with  the  Welsh  bishops,  on 
what  was  the  border  of  the  Welsh  territory." 

We  must  not  omit  to  mention  another  rough  wooden  chair 
which  makes  a  traditional  claim  on  our  reverence.  This  is  the  chair 
at  Jarrow-on-Tyne,  which  for  many  centuries  has  been  known  as 
the  chair  of  the  Venerable  Bede.  The  two  sides,  which,  with  the 
seat  and  crossbar  at  the  top,  are  the  only  ancient  parts,  are  of 
exceptionally  hard  oak,  and  show  some  signs  of  having  been 
charred.  The  old  church  was  fired  in  1069,  and  such  a  rough  chair 
as  this  was  not  likely  to  have  been  preserved  unless  there  were 
special  associations  that  gave  it  peculiar  value.  At  any  rate,  says 
the  last  writer  on  the  subject,  the  older  parts  are  of  great  age,  and 
the  traditional  name  is  no  new  invention.  It  is  only  fair,  however, 
to  state  that  some  experts  believe  that  this  chair  cannot  date  back 
further  than  the  14th  cent.* 

There  are  two  remarkable  stone  sanctuary  chairs  in  the  north 
of  England,  the  one  at  Beverley  and  the  other  at  Hexham.  The 
rudest  of  the  two  is  that  at  Beverley  ;  the  Hexham  example  has 
some  lines  of  moulding  below  the  seat  and  running  up  the  front, 
whilst  the  flat  surface  of  the  arms  and  back  of  the  chair  are 
ornamented  with  knotwork  pattern.  There  seems  no  reason  to 
doubt  that  both  of  these  low  massive  chairs  are  pre-Norman,  and 
that  the  one  at  Beverley  was  placed  there  in  the  beginning  of  the 
loth  cent.,  at  the  time  when  Athelstane  granted  special  rites  of 
sanctuary.  According  to  Camden  and  Leland,  the  Beverley 
"  Fridstool "  used  to  bear  a  Latin  inscription  which  may  be  thus 
translated — "  This  stone  chair  is  called  the  Freed  Stool,  i.e.  the 
Chair  of  Peace,  to  which  what  criminal  so-ever  flies  hath  the 
fullest  protection."  The  closest  scrutiny,  however,  cannot  now 
*  Archaologia  Aeliana,  vol.  xxii.  (ipcx)). 


252        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

detect  any  trace  of  an  inscription.  The  sanctuary  rites  of  both 
Beverley  and  Hexham  extended  for  some  distance  outside  the 
churches.  Interference  with  fugitives  within  the  specified  area  or 
even  in  the  church  itself  were  offences  that  might  be  redeemed  in 
certain  cases  by  penance  and  astonishingly  heavy  fines  ;  but  there 
was  no  redemption  for  any  one  who  dared  to  lay  hands  on  a 
fugitive  seated  in  either  of  these  chairs  of  peace. 

There  are  two  other  stone  chairs  in  parish  churches,  both,  we 
believe,  of  I3th-cent.  date  ;  each  of  them  lay  claim  to  be  special 
sanctuary  seats,  but  on  quite  insufficient  authority.     One  of  these 


FRITH    STOOL,    HEXHAM 


is  between  the  sedilia  and  the  priest's  door  in  the  chancel  of 
Halsham,  E.  R.  Yorks.,  and  the  other  in  the  church  of  Sprot- 
borough,  W.  R.  Yorks.     Both  of  these  are  of  I3th-cent.  date. 

There  are  two  stone  chairs  in  English  parish  churches  which  are 
of  undoubted  pre-Norman  date.  In  the  west  wall  of  the  basement 
of  the  Saxon  tower  of  Barnack,  Northants,  there  is  a  niche  or  sedile 
with  a  seat  stone.  This  was  brought  to  light  in  1855,  when 
Dr.  Argles  removed  the  rubbish  with  which  the  floor  was  en- 
cumbered. The  remains  of  risers,  on  which  had  rested  oak  slabs, 
were  found  on  each  side  of  the  stone-seated  sedile  and  against  the 
north  and  south  walls.     The  damage  done  to  this  seating  is  supposed 


THRONES    AND   CHAIRS 


53 


to  have  been  caused  when  Sweyne  set  fire  to  the  church  in  1013. 
By  some  it  is  believed  that  this  central  stone  seat  or  chair  was  for 
a  local  judge  who  here  held  court,  but  it  is  much  more  likely  to 
have  had  an  ecclesiastical  use.*  The  other  very  old  stone  chair  is 
a  rude  one  on  the  south  side  of  the  small  chancel  of  the  pre-Norman 
church  of  Corhampton,  Hants.  This  early  church  used  to  have  an 
eastern  apse,  and  it  is  likely  that  this  chair  originally  stood  against 
the  wall  in  the  centre  of  the  apse,  behind  the  altar,  according  to 
ancient  plan. 

In  the  chapter-house  of  Lincoln  Minster  there  is  a  massive 
episcopal  chair  of  oak,  of  the  time 
of  Edward  I.;  it  used  to  stand  in 
the  quire,  and  is  of  older  date  than 
the  stalls,  which  are  1350-80. 
Below  the  seat  are  two  rows  of 
quatrefoils  ;  the  arms  are  formed  of 
lions  couchant.  The  height  of  the 
back  is  3  feet  1 1  inches,  and  of  the 
seat  2  feet  5  inches,  and  the  breadth 
3  feet  2  inches.  It  has  been  roughly 
treated,  and  the  lions'  heads  are  gone. 
There  is  an  illustration  of  this  inte- 
resting chair  in  Lincolnshire  Notes 
and  Queries  (ii.  129). 

In  the  church  of  Little  Dunmow 
on    the  north  side   of  the   chancel 

stands  a  well-moulded  large  wooden  chair  of  I3th-cent.  date, 
which  is  of  great  repute  as  having  for  a  long  time  been  used  for 
chairing  the  successful  couple  who  won  the  celebrated  Dunmow 
Flitch  of  Bacon.  It  is  not  possible  to  conceive  that  this  chair 
was  originally  made  to  be  used  in  connection  with  this  very  ancient 
bequest ;  but  whatever  may  have  been  its  purport,  it  seems  well 
established  that  this  piece  of  furniture  used  to  stand  in  Dunmow 
priory.  Considering  the  rough  usage  to  which  it  has  been  often 
exposed,  the  chair  is  in  good  condition.  It  is  gratifying  to  know 
that  it  is  no  longer  used  in  the  farcical  revival  of  this  custom  during 
recent  years. 

There  is  a  remarkable  seat  or  stall  in  the  church  of  Bishop 
Cannings,  Wilts.,  which  used  to  be  styled,  with  much  absurdity,  a 

*  See  The  Building  of  Barnack  C/iUfch,  by  Canon  Syers,  1899. 


LITTLE   DUNMOW 


254        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

"  Confessional  Chair."  This  chair,  which  is  now  movable,  stands 
in  the  north  transept.  It  consists  of  an  upright  panel  with  some 
I5th-cent.  mouldings  at  the  top  and  sides;  against  this  panel  is 
constructed  a  seat,  facing  sideways,  with  a  flooring,  a  back  the 
ordinary  height  of  a  pew,  a  door  facing  the  panel,  and  a  sloping 
desk  facing  the  seat.  On  the  inner  side  of  the  large  panel  are  a 
variety  of  brief  admonitory  sentences,  painted  in  Latin  black  letter 
on  the  thumb  and  four  fingers  of  a  rudely  outlined  hand,  inscribed 
at  the  cuff  Manns  meditationis ;  beginning  on  the  thumb  with 
Nescis  quantum^  Nescis  quoties,  Deum  offendisti.  Below  the  hand, 
with  its  pious  sentences  on  the  respective  joints  of  each  finger, 
two  cocks  are  painted,  the  one  white  and  the  other  black  ;  from 
their  beaks  proceed  two  labels,  bearing  further  ejaculations. 

For  our  own  part  we  have  no  doubt  that  this  is  a  most 
interesting  and  unique  example  of  an  English  monastic  "carrel" 
or  stall,  such  as  were  placed  in  the  cloister  of  religious  houses  to 
secure  some  degree  of  privacy  and  convenience  and  shelter  for  the 
older  monks  when  at  study.  In  the  Rites  of  Durhaniy  we  are 
told  that  on  the  north  side  of  the  cloister  "  in  every  window  there 
were  iij  pews  or  carrells,  where  every  one  of  the  old  monks  had 
his  carrell,  severall  by  himself,  that  when  they  had  dyned  they  dyd 
resorte  to  that  place  of  cloister,  and  there  studyed  up  on  there  boks, 
every  one  in  his  carrell,  all  the  afternoon  unto  evensong  tyme.  All 
these  pews  or  carrells  were  all  fynely  wainscotted  and  verie  close, 
all  but  the  forepart  which  had  carved  worke  that  gave  light  in  at 
their  carrell  doures  of  waynscott.  And  in  every  carrell  was  a  desk 
to  lye  there  books  on."  * 

It  is  known  that  in  some  instances  monks,  at  the  time  of  the 
dissolution,  were  permitted  to  buy  the  carrells  and  other  furniture 
that  they  had  used,  if  they  so  desired.  Probably  this  was  the  case 
with  some  religious  house  in  this  neighbourhood. 

These  references  to  early  wooden  chairs  of  a  church  character 
would  not  be  complete  without  just  naming  the  iith-cent.  example 
as  Hereford  cathedral ;  the  chair  of  the  Abbots  of  Peterborough, 
now  at  Connington,  Hunts. ;  the  Coronation  Chair  at  Westminster 
Abbey,  including  the  earlier  Scottish  Coronation  Stone,  and 
another  coronation  chair  at  York  Minster. 

In  post- Reformat  ion  days  it  became  usual  to  place  one  or  more 

*  This  stall  is  illustrated  and  described  in  the  Wilts.  Archaologkal  Society s  Magazine 
for  1859  (vi.  147-149). 


STALLS   AND    MISERICORDS  255 

chairs  within  the  altar  rails.  There  are  numerous  good  examples 
of  such  chairs  of  Elizabethan,  Jacobean,  and  later  date  throughout 
the  country,  but  it  would  not  come  within  the  scope  of  a  work  of 
this  character  to  make  any  particular  mention  of  them  ;  for  in 
almost  every  case  they  were  of  domestic  origin,  and  afterwards 
handed  over  to  the  church.  The  earliest  dated  example  of  such 
chairs,  with  which  we  are  acquainted,  stands  within  the  altar  rails 
of  the  church  of  Epworth,  Lines. ;  it  bears  the  year  1560. 

STALLS  AND  MISERICORDS 

At  the  time  of  building  the  Anglo-Norman  churches,  the 
primitive  custom  had  not  altogether  died  out  which  placed  the 
bishop  or  abbot  in  the  centre  of  the  apse  at  the  back  of  the  altar, 
with  his  clergy  arranged  in  seats  or  stalls  on  either  side.  But 
though  there  is  evidence  that  the  custom  was  followed  at  Norwich, 
this  plan  was  probably  always  uncommon  in  England,  and  was 
soon  superseded  by  the  arrangement,  universal  during  the  Gothic 
period,  which  transferred  the  place  of  the  clergy  to  the  western 
portion  of  the  quire.  In  the  great  Benedictine  churches,  this  place 
was  usually  under  the  central  tower,  and  often  extended  some 
distance  into  the  nave. 

The  stalls  of  the  clergy  were  arranged  on  either  side  of  the 
quire,  in  one  or  more  rows — generally  two — with  returned  stalls  at 
the  west,  of  which  the  two  next  the  gate  were  occupied  by  the 
abbot  and  prior,  or  the  dean  and  sub-dean,  respectively.  The 
back  row  was  a  little  above  the  row  in  front,  whose  back  formed  its 
desk,  while  the  front  row  had  a  low  desk  before  it.  Each  stall  was 
separated  from  its  neighbours  by  a  curved  back  with  elbows,  and 
was  furnished  with  a  hinged  seat,  whose  under  surface  had  a 
bracket  or  "  misericord "  to  give  some  support  during  the  long 
periods  of  standing.  The  misericords  were  generally  carved,  and 
they  furnish  the  best  examples  of  mediaeval  wood-carving  now 
remaining.  Their  subjects  were  domestic,  grotesque,  or  satirical, 
and  the  execution  was  vigorous  if  sometimes  rude.  The  earliest 
are  the  best,  and  they  are  often  earlier  than  the  canopies  above  the 
stalls,  sometimes  than  the  stalls  themselves.  In  some  instances,  as 
at  Exeter  (13th  cent.),  and  at  Wells  and  Worcester  (14th  cent), 
the  misericords  are  the  only  portions  of  the  old  stalls  now 
remaining. 


256        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

In  all  the  larger  churches,  except  Canterbury,  the  stalls  of  the 
back  row  were  covered  by  canopies.  In  the  finest  examples  each 
stall  had  a  towering  spire  of  open-work  ;  the  best  illustrations  of 
these  now  remaining  are  at  Lincoln,  Beverley,  Carlisle,  Nantwich, 
and  Chester.  In  some  smaller  foundations,  and  especially  in  the 
west  of  England,  a  single  continuous  canopy  was  employed,  and 
this  plan  was  occasionally  followed  in  cathedral  churches,  as  at 
Norwich  ;  good  examples  are  to  be  seen  there,  and  at  Chichester, 
Hereford,  Bristol,  Sherborne,  Tong,  and  Abergavenny.  At  Here- 
ford it  occurs  at  two  parish  churches  as  well  as  at  the  cathedral. 
The  canopies  are  often  supported  in  front  by  shafts  springing  from 
the  projecting  arms  of  the  stalls.  At  Manchester  the  tabernacle- 
work  is  surmounted  by  a  continuous  canopy,  and  this  is  said  to 
have  formerly  been  the  case  at  Beverley.  At  Winchester  the 
canopies  are  pedimental,  with  two  stalls  under  each. 

The  number  of  stalls  varied  with  the  size  of  the  foundation. 
The  largest  series  is  that  at  Beverley  with  6S,  followed  by  Wells 
and  Boston  with  64  each,  and  Lincoln  and  Norwich  with  62. 
Winchester,  Hereford,  and  Gloucester  have  each  60,  Exeter  50, 
Chester  48,  Carlisle  46,  and  Chichester  40.  The  series  of  37 
misericords  at  Worcester  is  incomplete.  Of  smaller  foundations, 
there  are  36  stalls  at  Christchurch  and  32  at  Ludlow,  and  the  fine 
sets  at  Nantwich  and  Abergavenny  number  20  and  24  respectively  ; 
others  have  fewer. 

When  stalls  occur  in  sets  of  three  (St.  Martin's,  Leicester),  two 
(St.  Mary,  Castlegate,  York),  or  one  (Belgrave),  they  were  pro- 
bably intended  for  sedilia  ;  and  conversely,  in  churches  with  a 
number  of  sedilia  on  both  sides  of  the  chancel,  or  on  the  north 
only,  there  were  probably  stalls.  Thus  at  King's  Sutton  and 
Denford,  Northants,  there  are  twelve  and  seven  respectively  in 
addition  to  the  sedilia,  and  at  Stanwell,  Middlesex,  eight. 

The  material  of  which  the  stalls  were  made  was  almost  always 
wood,    but  at    Southwell  the    return-stalls   are   of   stone,    and   at 
Norwich   St.   Swithin's  and   Walpole   St.   Peter's  there  are  stone* 
stalls  fitted  with  wooden  misericords. 

The  earliest  complete  series  is  that  at  Winchester  {c.  1296), 
which  is  also  the  finest ;  here  there  is  to  each  pair  of  stalls  a  lofty 
pedimented  canopy,  traceried  and  enriched  with  bosses  of  most 
beautiful  carving.  Those  at  Boston  and  Ely  belong  to  the 
middle  of  the   14th  cent.,  and  the  Lincoln  stalls  are  a  little  later. 


STALLS    AND    MISERICORDS  257 

To  the  15th  cent,  belong  the  examples  at  Hereford,  Carlisle, 
Chester,  and  Gloucester  ;  while  those  at  Beverley,  where  the  miseri- 
cords are  earlier,  Manchester,  Bristol,  St.  George's  Chapel,  Windsor, 
and  Henry  VII.'s  Chapel,  Westminster,  were  not  completed  till 
after  the  year  1 500.  Several  important  sets  were  not  constructed 
till  after  the  Reformation,  more  especially  in  the  county  of  Durham. 
Of  these  most  are  Renaissance  in  style,  as  at  King's  College, 
Cambridge,  and,  as  regards  the  upper  portions,  at  Cartmel ;  but 
those  in  co.  Durham  are  fair  imitations  of  Gothic  work. 

There  are  fragments  of  still  earlier  stalls  at  Rochester  and 
Salisbury,  and  the  misericords  preserved  at  Exeter  are  of 
Henry  III.'s  reign. 

The  desks  are  usually  adorned  with  traceried  heads,  and  their 
ends  and  those  of  the  stalls  are  richly  carved,  often  with  small 
figures  at  the  elbows  or  as  finials. 

Sets  of  stalls  were  usually  reserved  for  monastic  or  collegiate 
foundations,  or  for  churches  intimately  connected  with  them,  such  as 
Maidstone  in  the  diocese  of  Canterbury.  They  do  occur,  however, 
at  purely  parochial  churches,  especially  in  the  east  of  England  ; 
thus  Boston  has  one  of  the  most  important  sets  of  all,  and  Nantwich 
is  another  instance  of  a  parish  church  with  a  complete  series  of 
canopied  stalls.  In  the  two  Royal  Chapels  at  Westminster  and 
Windsor  the  back  row  of  stalls  was  reserved  for  the  knights  of  the 
Bath  and  of  the  Garter  respectively. 

The  chancel  of  Minster  church,  Thanet,  has  eighteen  handsome 
wooden  stalls,  with  carved  misericord  seats,  of  the  date  1 401- 19. 
These  carvings  are  described,  and  three  of  them  illustrated,  in  the 
twelfth  volume  of  ArchcBologia  Cantiana. 

In  the  Museum  of  Archaeology,  Cambridge,  there  are  three 
carved  wooden  stalls  from  Brampton  church,  Hunts,  with  remark- 
able misericords,  c.  1350.  They  are  described  and  illustrated  in 
Pt.  xxxi.  of  the  Proceedings  of  the  Cambridge  Antiquarian 
Society. 

When  the  fine  chancel  of  the  collegiate  church  of  Fotheringhay, 
Northants,  was  shamefully  unroofed  in  the  i6th  cent.,  some  of  the 
stalls  were  given  shelter  in  neighbouring  parish  churches.  There 
are  ten  in  the  chancel  of  Hemington  church,  three  at  Tansor,  and 
three  at  Benefield. 

A  strong  sense  of  realistic  humour  is  often  to  be  noted  in  the 
carvings  of  the  misericords,  particularly  in  the  retributive  justice  done 


SSB        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

to  sportsmen  by  their  victims.  The  best  instances  of  this  is  at 
Manchester,  where  a  huntsman  is  bound  to  a  pole  revolving  before 
a  roaring  fire  ;  over  the  fire  hang  some  pots,  and  a  hare  raising  the 
lid  of  one  discloses  the  head  of  a  hound  in  process  of  being  stewed. 
In  several  cases,  as  at  Beverley  and  Nantwich,  a  fox  is  being  hanged 
by  geese  ;  and  at  Malvern  a  group  of  rats  are  busy  hanging  a  cat. 
There  are  also  more  than  a  dozen  churches  in  which  grotesques  are 
to  be  found  of  a  fox  preaching  to  geese. 

Natural  animal  life  is  occasionally  pleasantly  depicted,  as  a  cat 
and  kittens,  and  a  hen  with  her  brood  at  Beverley ;  a  pig  and  litter 
which  occurs  at  Chester,  Winchester,  and  Worcester  ;  or  a  rabbit 
at  play  at  Christchurch.  More  often,  however,  the  comic  element 
intervenes;  thus  a  pig  is  found  playing  bagpipes  (Ripon,  etc.),  a 
rabbit  riding  a  hound  (Worcester),  a  fox  riding  a  cock  (West- 
minster), a  bear  beating  a  drum  (Boston),  and  a  lion  on  a  monkey. 
Fabulous  animals  were  still  more  popular,  the  mermaid  being  a 
universal  favourite,  whilst  griffins,  basilisks,  dragons,  and  a  variety 
of  demons  are  comparatively  common. 

Serious  scriptural  subjects,  and  the  evangelists  and  other  saints 
with  their  emblems,  are  usually  found,  as  well  as  animals  of  a 
distinct  symbolic  meaning,  such  as  the  lion,  eagle,  or  unicorn. 

Hawking  and  hunting  scenes  are  also  common,  with  occasional 
combats  between  knights,  wrestling  matches,  and  other  sports,  as 
well  as  weird  encounters  between  beasts  and  demons. 

Now  and  again  domestic  or  agricultural  incidents  are  repre- 
sented, such  as  cooking  (Minster  and  Windsor),  spinning  (Ely, 
Fairford,  etc.),  threshing  (Westminster),  or  ploughing  (Lincoln). 
Family  quarrels  occasionally  occur  ;  whilst  at  both  Beverley  and 
Lynn  a  man  is  represented  wheeling  a  scolding  wife  in  a  wheel- 
barrow, with  the  probable  intention  of  overturning  her  into  a  pond. 

One  of  the  fine  set  of  misericords  at  Boston  gives  a  realistic 
view  of  the  birching  of  a  boy  by  a  schoolmaster,  whilst  three  of  his 
schoolfellows  look  on,  book  in  hand,  enjoying  the  scene. 

At  Screveton,  Notts.,  there  is  a  well-designed  carving  of  a  man 
warming  his  feet  at  the  fire  ;  such  a  design  in  a  series  of  months 
was  assigned  to  February.  This  misericord  is  probably  one  of  an 
original  series  of  twelve  from  some  larger  church. 

It  will  be  noticed  in  the  following  list  that  examples  of  stalls 
are  more  abundant  in  East  Anglia  than  elsewhere.* 

*  Choir  Stalls  and  their  Carvings^  by  Emma  Phipson  (Batsford,   1896),  is  the  best 


CARTMELL   I'RIORY,    LANCASHIRE 


SCREVETON,    NOTTS 


'm 


1 


WYSALL,    NOTTS 

MISONICORDS 


STALLS   AND    MISERICORDS  259 

Those  marked  f  are  canopied.     Where  no  date  is  mentioned,  it  may  be  assumed  that 

the  stalls  are  15  th  cent. 

Beds. — Bedford,  St.  Paul's  (i8),  c.  1400;  Biggleswade;  Eddlesborough ; 
Leighton  Buzzard  (28),^.  1385;  Luton;   Northill,  <:.  1405. 

Berks. — Fyfield;  Sutton  Courteney,  13th  cent.;  Wantage;  Windsor,  St. 
George's  Cliapel  (98),  r.  1450. 

Bucks, — Aylesbury,  Edlesborough  (mis.),  Ivinghoe,  Newport  Pagnell,  North 
Marston. 

Cambs. — Balsham,  Bourne,  Boxworth,  Burwell ;  Cambridge,  St.  Michael, 
King's  College  Chapel  f  (118),  Renaissance;  Els  worth;  Ely,  Cathedral  t, 
1338;  Fordham  (i9),<:.  1350;  Gamlingay  (6),  ^.  1420;  Isleham,  Land- 
beach  (mis.),  Melbourn,  Meldreth,  Milton,  Orwell  (mis.),  Over; 
Shelford,  late  14th  cent. ;  Soham. 

Chester, — Great  Budworth  ;  Chester,  Cathedral  f  (48) ;  Malpas,  Nantwich  f 
(25),  Stockport,  Woodchurch. 

Cornwall. — St.  Buryan  (4),  St.  Germans,  St.  Ives. 

Cumberland. — Carlisle  t  (46),  c.  1400-1415  ;  canopies,  1433. 

Derbs. — Bakewell  (20),  c.  1420;  Dronfield,  Norbury,  Tideswell. 

Devon. — Exeter,  Cathedral  (50  misericords  only,  probably  Bishop  Bruere, 
1222-1244);  Kingsbridge;  Ottery  St.  Mary,  Choir  and  Lady  Chapel. 

Dorset. — Charmouth  ;  Sherborne f,  14th  cent.;  Sturminster  Marshall; 
Wimborne  (14),  1608. 

Durham. — Auckland  (28);  Brancepeth  f ,  post-Reformation;  ConiscUffe, 
Darlington;  Durham,  Cathedral  (32), <:.  1660,  Castle  Chapel  (22,  only 
II  misericords),  c.  15 10,  St.  Oswald;  Stranton.  The  following  are  all 
of  post-Reformation  date,  though  Gothic  in  character  :  Easington, 
Lanchester,  Sedgefieldf;  Sherburn,  Hospital  Chapel  (16);  Staindrop, 
Stanhope. 

Essex. — Castle  Hedingham. 

Glos. — Bristol,  Cathedral  f,  c.  1520;  Duntisbourne  Rouse;  Fairford,  c. 
1460;  Gloucester,  Cathedral  f  (60),  14th  cent. ;  Tewkesbury. 

Hants. — Basingstoke,  The  Vine,  Chapel;  Christchurch  (58,  but  only  32 
misericords),  c.  1500;  Winchester,  Cathedral  f  (68),  <r.  1296,  College 
(18),  1390,  St.  Cross. 

Herefords. — Hereford,  Cathedral  f  (60),  All  Saints  j,  St.  Peter's  f ;  Ledbury, 
Madeley,  Canon  Pyon  (16),  Wigmore. 


general  book  on  the  subject ;  see  also  Wright's  Essays  on  Archaological  Subjects  (1861), 
and  hxs  History  of  Caricature  in  Literature  and  Art  {iS6$).  There  are  few  stalls  and 
misericords  given  in  Carter's  Ancient  Sculptures  (1780),  and  in  1875  Llewellyn  Jewitt 
contributed  a  series  of  articles  to  the  Art  Journal^  called  "  Art  under  the  Seats."  There 
are  separate  works  on  the  stalls  of  Beverley,  Bristol,  Ripon,  and  Worcester.  Drawings 
to  scale  of  some  of  the  stalls  of  Beverley,  Holdenby,  King's  Lynn,  Lancaster,  and 
Richmond  will  be  found  in  the  various  volumes  of  the  Sketch-book  of  the  Architectural 
Association, 


26o        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Herts. — Anstey(i4);  Bishops  Stortford  (i8),  <r.  1420;  Stevenage,  Wheat- 
hampstead. 

Hunts. — Brampton  (3),  temp.  Edward  III.,  now  in  Cambridge  Museum; 
Little  Paxton. 

Kent. — Aldington,  Bexley,  Cliff-at-Hoo,  Cobham,  Faversham  (16),  Ivy- 
church,  Lenham;  Maidstone  (20  out  of  28  remain),  1395  ;  Minster- 
in-Thanet  (18),  c  1410 ;  Rochester,  Cathedral  (desks  only,  13th  cent.) ; 
Rodmersham  f  (3) ;  Sandwich,  St.  Clements ;  Southfleet ;  Throwley  (4), 
c.  1450;  Upchurch  (stone),  Wingate. 

Lanes. — Cartmelf  (26),  stalls  and  misericords  14th  cent.,  canopies  post- 
Reformation;  Garstang,  Halsall;  Lancaster  j,  late  14th  cent.;  Mag- 
hull  (16) ;  Manchester,  Cathedral  f  (36),  c.  1500;  Middleton,  Prescot, 
Sefton;  Whalley  (18),  c.  1435. 

Leies. — Belgrave,  i  sedile  only ;  Leicester,  St.  Martin  (3) ;  Noseley. 

Lines. — Boston  (64),<:.  1375  ;  Lincoln,  Cathedral  f  (108),  <r.  1370;  Pilham  ; 
Stamford,  Brown's  Hospital,  Sturton,  Swaton,  Tattershall,  Winthorpe, 
Witham-on-the-Hill. 

Middlesex. — London,  St.  Katherine's  Hospital  (i  i  out  of  24  survive), <:.  1350; 
Westminster  x'\bbey,  Henry  VII.  chapel  t  (68),  canopied  wooden  sedilia 
in  sanctuary;  Stanwell,  eight  stone  stalls  in  chancel,  in  addition  to 
sedilia. 

Mons. — Abergavenny  I  (24). 

Norfolk. — Aylsham_,  1507;  Binham,  Blakeney,  Castle  Acre;  Cawston,  c, 
1460  ;  Cley-next-Sea,  East  Harling  (6),  Ingham,  Litcham ;  King's  Lynn, 
St.  Margaret  (16),  c.  1420,  St.  Nicholas  (6),  c.  1450,  now  in  Archit, 
Museum,  Tufton  Street,  London ;  Norwich,  Cathedral  f  (62),  St. 
Andrew,  St.  Michael  Coslany,  St.  Gregory,  St.  Peter  Mancroft  (24), 
St.  Swithin  (stone,  with  wooden  misericords) ;  North  Walsham,  Sail, 
Thompson;  Tilney  All  Saints  (18),  e.  1420;  Trunch,  Walpole  St. 
Peter  (5  misericords,  under  stone  canopies,  and  resting  on  stone 
supports).  Great  Walsingham,  Walsoken  (9),  Wiggenhall  St.  Mary 
Magdalen. 

Northants, — Benefield  (3),  Doddington ;  Gayton  (6),  c.  1500;  Hemington 
(10);  Higham  Ferrers  f  (20),  1415;  Holdenby  (6),  Irthlingborough 
(8),  1376  ;  Isham  (2),  Peterborough,  Cathedral  (3),  e.  1450  ;  Passenham, 
1628;  Raunds,  14th  cent. ;  Rothwell  (7),  late  15th  cent. ;  Tansor  (3) ; 
Wellingborough  (6),  e.  1385  ;  Wlnwick,  one  sedile.  At  Denford  there 
are  seven,  and  at  Kings  Sutton  twelve  stone  stalls  resembling  sedilia. 

NorthtLmherla7id. — Hexham  (36),  15th  cent. 

Notts. — Newark;  Southwell,  return  stalls  of  stone,  at  back  of  screen,  14th 
cent. ;  Screveton  (single  misericord  and  stall),  Thurgarton,  Wysall. 

0x071. — Bampton ;  Cassington,  post-Reformation ;  Dorchester ;  Kidlington, 
15th  cent.;  Merton,  from  Exeter  College,  Oxford;  Oxford,  All  Souls 
(42),    1442,   Christchurch,   c.   1520,    Lincoln  College,  1630,  Merton 


SEATS   AND    BENCHES  261 

College,  New  College  (62),   1480,  Trinity  College;    Swinbrook,   c. 
1450;  Thame. 

Salop. — Ludlowj  (32).  The  backs  are  original,  but  the  actual  canopies 
modern;  eight  of  the  misericords  are  14th  cent.,  the  rest  Perpendicular. 
Lentwardine  f,  Tong  j- 

Somerset. — Bridgewater ;  South  Cadbury,  14th  cent. ;  Ditcheat ;  Wells  (64), 
misericords  only ;  Weston-in-Gordano. 

Staffs. — Blithfield,  Enville  (4  misericords),  Penkridge,  Worle  (misericords 
only). 

Suffolk. — Bildeston  (from  St.  Leonard's  chapel),  Brandon ;  Buxhall,  14th 
cent. ;  Carlton,  Cockfield,  Combs,  Cratfield,  Debenham,  Denardiston, 
Framsden,  Hadleigh,  Hundon,  Icklington,  Lakenheath,  Lavenham, 
Melford,  Mettingham,  Newbourne;  Norton,  14th  cent.  ;  Southwoldf; 
Stoke-by-Nayland,  14th  cent. ;  Stonham  Aspall,  14th  cent. ;  Stow- 
langtoft;  Sudbury,  St.  Gregory,  1365  ;  Ubbeston,  Westhall,  Westleton, 
Wingfield,  Winston. 

Surrey. — Beddington,  c.  1410;  Lingfield,  Nutfield,  Ockham,  West  Horsley, 
Worplesdon. 

Sussex. — Bosham,  Broadwater;  Chichester,  Cathedral f  (40),  St.  Mary's 
Hospital  (24),  1407 ;  Bishop  Sherborne,  Etchingham,  Kirdford, 
Mayfield,  West  Tarring,  Wittering  (2). 

Warwicks. — Astley  (painted  figures  and  scrolls),  Aston  (from  St.  Margaret, 
Leicester) ;  Coventry,  St.  Michael,  Holy  Trinity ;  Knowle,  Solihull, 
Stratford-on-A  von . 

Wilts. — Mere;  SaHsbury,  Cathedral  (13th  cent,  fragmentary),  St.  Thomas. 

Worcs. — Great  Malvern  (24),  c.  1400  ;  Little  Malvern,  Pershore  (frag- 
mentary), Ripple;  Worcester,  Cathedral,  14th  cent,  (misericords  only). 

Yorks. — Beverley,  Minsterf  (68),  1445-1515,  St.  Mary  (28),  c.  1445; 
Ecclesfield,  Hackness,  Halifax,  Hull;  Hemingborough,  13th  cent; 
Leake,  Loversal,  Middleton-in-Pickering  Dale,  Pocklington ;  Richmond 
(16),  early  i6th  cent;  Ripon  f,  1487-94;  Rotherham,  <:.  1480;  Selby, 
14th  cent ;  Silton,  Sprotborough  ;  Swine  (9  remain),  c.  1400 ;  Wensley, 
Wakefield;  York,  St  Mary  Castlegate  (i  sedile),  St  Saviour  (2). 

SEATS    AND  BENCHES 

It  would  appear  that  the  early  rule  for  a  congregation  in  English 
as  in  other  Christian  churches  was  to  stand  when  not  kneeling.  The 
stone  benches  or  tables  round  the  walls  would  suffice  for  the  aged 
and  infirm  ;  such  were  probably  much  more  numerous  in  the  early 
churches  than  would  appear  from  their  surviving  remains  at  the 
present  time.  Nevertheless,  such  rows  of  stone  seats  are  more 
frequent  than  is  usually  supposed. 

The  earliest  of  the  Cornwall  churches  seem  always  to  have  had 


262        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

a  stone  bench  round  the  walls,  as  at  St.  Piran,  and  in  the  south 
transepts  of  Tintagel  and  Minster.  At  Bishopstone,  Wilts.,  there 
are  stone  bench-tables  against  the  south  and  west  walls  of  the  south 
transept ;  and  at*  Bratton  in  the  same  county  there  are  similar  seats 
round  the  piers  of  the  central  tower.  In  Somerset  such  seats  may 
be  noted  in  the  south  aisle  of  Pridley  church,  and  also  at  the  late 
Tudor  church  of  North  Petherton,  and  at  the  west  end  of  Brimpton 
church.  At  Weston-on-Trent,  Derbs.,  are  stone  benches  against 
the  north  wall  of  the  north  aisle,  and  at  the  west  end  of  the  south 
aisle,  and  also  on  each  side  of  the  chancel  of  Norbury  in  the  same 
county.  The  noble  I4th-cent.  East  Riding  church  of  Patrington 
has  a  stone  seat  running  round  most  of  the  nave,  including  the  west 
end.  At  Hemingborough,  in  the  same  Riding,  there  are  stone  seats 
against  the  south  and  west  walls.  In  the  North  Riding  there  is  a 
stone  seat  along  the  north  aisle  of  Kirby  Sigston,  and  at  the  west 
end  and  north  side  of  Middleton  church.  Acton  church,  Chester, 
is  a  remarkable  example,  for  here  the  stone  bench  runs  all  round 
both  church  and  chancel.  Ufford  and  Cotterstock,  Northants, 
have  stone  benches  round  the  aisles,  and  Warmington  on  each 
side  of  the  chancel.  They  are  also  to  be  seen  at  Tunstead,  Norfolk. 
The  Norfolk  churches  of  Hunstanton  and  Snettisham  afiford  two 
other  examples  of  churches  which  have  original  stone  seats 
encompassing  the  bases  of  the  piers  of  the  arcades.  Such  instances 
might  be  at  least  trebled  if  every  case  was  put  on  record. 

A  very  effective,  but  highly  unusual,  plan  for  affording  seats  of 
this  description  was  by  encircling  with  them  the  bases  of  the  piers 
of  the  nave  arcades.  The  best  example  that  we  know  occurs  in  the 
church  of  St.  Michael,  Sutton  Bonnington,  of  which  an  illustration 
is  given.  Like  instances  occur  in  the  Nottinghamshire  church  of 
Coddington,  and  at  Lydd,  Kent. 

Church  porches  were  usually  provided  with  a  stone  bench  down 
each  side,  that  people  might  there  rest  themselves  before  service 
began.  At  Stogumber  church,  Somerset,  an  exterior  bench-table 
runs  the  whole  length  of  the  north  aisle  ;  the  principal  entrance  to 
the  church  was  on  this  side. 

The  custom,  however,  of  providing  no  wooden  seats  of  a  per- 
manent character  for  the  general  congregation  seems  to  have  been 
first  broken  through  by  seats  being  fixed  within  chantry  parcloses 
or  guild  chapels,  and  thus  the  custom  gradually  spread  to  the  body 
of  the  church. 


SEATS   AND    BENCHES 


263 


A  few  simple  examples,  for  the  most  part  early,  occur  of 
benches  in  which  the  only  decoration  is  a  moulding  running  along 
the  back  and  sides,  as  at  Fen  Ditton,  Cambs.  ;  Willington,  Beds.  ; 
Eckington  and  Suckley,  Worcs. ; 
and  Dunsfold,  Surrey.  The  last 
of  these  examples,  with  scal- 
loped tops,  is  ..upposed  to  be  of 
late  I3th-cent.  date. 

In  the  15th  and  i6th  cents, 
very  many  churches  were  com- 
pletely fitted  up  with  wooden 
seats,  setting  a  fashion  which  has 
prevailed  ever  since. 

The  earlier  examples  of  these 
centuries  were  generally  rude 
benches  with  simple  terminals ; 
in  the  later,  of  which  the  most 
beautiful  are  to  be  seen  in  East 
Anglia  and  the  most  elaborate 
in  Somerset,  Devon,  and  Corn- 
wall, the  workmanship  is  excel- 
lent. The  ends  toward  the  alleys 
are  carved,  either  with  traceried 
panelling,  figure-carving,  often 
of  a  secular  and  humorous  cha- 
racter, or  armorial  bearings. 
These  bench  ends  are  usually 
square  headed  in  the  western 
counties,  but  generally  end  in 
poppy-heads  in  East  Anglia  and 
other    parts.      In    Norfolk   and 

Suffolk  they  were  sometimes  further  enriched  by  figures  in  niches, 
as  at  Blythburgh  and  Wiggenhall  St.  Mary. 

The  earlier  examples  are  to  be  found  chiefly  in  the  Midlands.  To 
the  13th  cent,  belong  those  at  Gaddesby,  and  to  the  14th  those  at 
Dunton  Bassett,  both  in  Leicestershire  ;  and  late  in  the  same  century 
came  the  very  fine  and  complete  set  at  Finedon,  Northants.  Of  the 
15th  cent,  those  at  Wiggenhall,  Norfolk,  and  Blythburgh  and  Lax- 
field,  Suffolk,  may  be  specially  noticed  ;  and  early  in  the  i6th,  those 
at  Brent  Knoll  and  Trull,  Somerset^  and  Kilkhampton,  Cornwall. 


BRENT   KNOLL,    SOMERSET 


264        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  more  remarkable  old  seats  and 
bench-ends,  arranged  according  to  counties.  The  great  majority 
of  them  are  late  pre-Reformation. 

Bedfordshire 

In  the  Gentleman's  Magazine  for  1812,  two  of  the  grotesque 
bench-ends  in  the  nave  of  Steventon  church  are  rudely  engraved. 
In  the  one  case  "  two  veteran  bibbers  are  drinking  out  of  a  bowl," 
and  the  other  instance  "may  possibly  have  an  allusion  to  the 
painful  consequences  of  excessive  drinking." 

Barton-le-Clay,  Biddenham,  Bolnhurst,  Bromham,  Carlton,  Cople,  Chel- 
lington,  Eaton  Bray,  Eaton  Socon,  Eyworth,  Houghton  Conquest, 
Langford,  Marston-Mortaine,  Oakley,  Sandy,  Shillington,  Steventon, 
Stretton,  Thurleigh,  Totternhoe,  Willington. 

Berkshire 

At  the  west  end  of  Aldworth  church  there  are  two  or  three 
bench-ends  which  have  been  supposed  by  some  to  be  of  I4th-cent. 
date ;  but  they  are  in  reality  of  the  time  of  Henry  VII. 

Aldworth,  Cumnor,  Frilsham,  Lyford,  Letcombe  Regis,  Reading  St. 
Laurence,  Sunningwell,  Wantage. 

Buckinghamshire 

Chesham  Bois,  Drayton-Beauchamp,  Lee,  Soulbury,  Stoke  Poges,  Weston 
Turville,  Wing. 

Cambridgeshire 

The  benches  in  the  north  aisle  of  Cherry  Hinton  church  are  of 
much  interest  and  unusually  ornamented  ;  they  appear  to  be  of  early 
I5th-cent.  date. 

Arrington,  Bourne,  Burwell,  Caldecott,  Cherry  Hinton,  Chesterton,  Chip- 
penham, Comberton,  Coveney,  Elsworth,  Fen  Ditton,  Fulbourne, 
Gamlingay,  Gorton,  Guilden  Morden,  Horningden,  Histon,  Imping- 
ton,  Lolworth,  Orwell,  Soham,  Sutton,  Thriplow,  Toft,  Wood  Ditton. 

Cheshire 

At  Woodchurch  there  is  beautiful  tracery  on  some  of  the 
bench- ends. 


SEATS   AND    BENCHES  265 

Cornwall 

The  most  characteristic  feature  of  the  interior  of  a  I5th-cent. 
Cornish  church  must  have  been  the  seating  of  them  throughout,  or 
in  considerable  blocks,  with  substantial  oak  benches  or  seats,  the 
ends  of  which  were  invariably  carved  with  some  degree  of  vigorous 
effect  and  much  pains,  and  afford  evidence  of  that  general  zeal  for 
the  House  of  God  which  passed  over  the  whole  of  the  Duchy  in  the 
century  before  the  Reformation.  Occasionally  these  bench-ends 
are  of  heraldic  pattern.  On  the  bench-ends  of  St.  Teath  are  the 
arms  of  Arundell  impaling  Peverell,  and  Fitzjames  impaling 
Peverell.  The  arms  of  Roscarrock  impaling  Grenville  are  on  one 
of  the  bench-ends  in  Endellion  church.  John  Roscarrock,  grandson 
of  John  who  married  Alice  Pentire  (whose  arms  are  on  the  stoup 
in  that  church),  married  Agnes,  daughter  of  Thomas  Grenville, 
for  his  first  wife,  temp.  Henry  VHI.  The  arms  of  the  see  of 
Winchester  are  on  a  bench  in  the  church  of  Davidstow.  At  St. 
Breward  the  arms  of  Bodmin  priory  may  be  noticed.  St.  Teath 
has  a  large  number  of  these  bench-ends  still  preserved,  as  well  as 
the  old  benches  themselves.  Several  of  them  bear  the  monogram 
I  H  C  and  a  crowned  M  for  the  Blessed  Virgin.  These  two 
designs  are  repeated  in  various  churches  of  the  district,  as  well  as 
different  forms  of  the  Latin  and  St.  Andrew's  cross.  Occasionally 
there  are  special  varieties,  such  as  the  Virgin  and  St.  Joseph,  with 
a  bullock's  head  between  them,  at  Davidstow,  and  a  satirical  one 
at  Padstow  of  a  fox  preaching  to  geese.  But  by  far  the  commonest 
subject  for  treatment  on  these  bench-ends  are  the  various  symbols 
of  the  Passion,  arranged  after  various  fashions,  but,  for  the  most 
part,  having  only  one  or  two  symbols  on  the  same  panel.  Such 
are — the  crown  of  thorns,  the  nails  and  hammer,  the  reed  and 
spear,  the  vesture,  the  dice,  the  pillar  and  scourges,  the  ladder,  the 
pierced  hands  and  feet,  and  the  cock  of  St  Peter's  betrayal. 

Various  examples  of  these  may  be  noticed  at  the  churches  of 
North-East  Cornwall,  as  at  St.  Teath,  Michaelstow,  St.  Breward,  and 
Laneast.  Some  thirty  or  forty  years  ago  it  was  almost  impossible 
to  find  a  church  anywhere  in  the  county  without  a  considerable 
number,  or  at  all  events  some,  remnants  of  these  bench-ends.  But 
the  evil  work  of  "  restoration  "  has,  to  our  own  certain  knowledge, 
been  the  cause  of  the  loss  of  much  of  this  characteristic  work.  At 
a  visit  to  Cornwall  in  the  seventies  of  last  century,  bench-ends 


266        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

and  other  beautiful  bits  of  fine  old  oak  carving,  from  roofs  and 
elsewhere,  were  to  be  met  with  worked  up  into  public-house  settles, 
or  serving  as  sideboards  or  ornamental  panelling  in  the  houses  of 
gentlefolk  and  well-to-do  tradesmen.  Others  could  be  seen  rotting 
in  timber-yards  or  at  village  builders,  where  they  could  be  picked 
up  for  a  trifle.  Especially  was  this  the  case  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  Tintagel  and  Boscastle.  In  some  of  the  rather  better  "  restora- 
tions" they  did  not  actually  destroy  all  the  old  woodwork,  but,  with 
strange  perversity,  wrested  it  from  its  proper  use.  Thus,  at  St. 
Breward,  some  of  the  best  of  the  bench-ends  were  painted  and 
gilded  and  stuck  up  over  the  altar  to  form  an  unsightly  and 
unseemly  reredos.  Bench-ends  have  also  been  absurdly  turned 
into  a  reredos  at  Tintagel  church.  Elsewhere  they  have  been  stuck 
together  to  make  pulpits  or  reading-desks. 

The  student  of  old  English  woodcarving  in  Cornwall  cannot 
fail  to  notice  that  there  were  somewhat  varying  schools  of  design 
in  different  parts  of  the  county.  The  bench-end,  and  other  carving, 
for  instance,  of  Land's  End  and  Lizard  churches  differs  not  a  little 
from  that  of  north-east  Cornwall,  the  former  being  somewhat  more 
delicate  in  treatment.  The  nave  of  the  church  of  St.  Minver  has  a 
great  number  of  handsome  late  bench-ends  in  flowing  arabesque 
patterns. 

Several  of  the  churches  at  the  extreme  west  of  Cornwall  have 
remarkably  good  bench-ends.  At  a  miserable  restoration  of  the 
old  collegiate  church  of  St.  Bury  an  in  1814,  the  richly  carved  old 
benches  were  flung  aside  as  rubbish.  Blight,  in  his  Cornish 
Churches,  says  that  they  were  to  be  found  as  chimney  ornaments 
in  the  cottages,  or  put  to  base  uses  in  the  farmyards.  The  little 
church  of  St.  Levan  retains  various  bench-ends  in  good  condition. 
They  are  mostly  ecclesiastical  in  design,  but  some  bear  the  mono- 
grams of  benefactors  or  donors,  whilst  two  represent  jesters  in  cap 
and  bells.  The  church  of  Zennor*  has  the  curious  subject  of  a 
mermaid  vigorously  portrayed  on  one  of  the  ends.  At  St.  Ives 
some  of  the  best  of  the  bench-ends  have  been  worked  up  into  a 
pulpit ;  but  there  is  a  good  series  of  late  design  in  the  Trenwyth 
aisle,  which  seem  to  have  been  removed  from  the  ends  of  chancel 
stalls  or  seats.  One  of  them  is  surmounted  by  a  kneeling  angel 
holding  a  pyx,  whilst  in  another  case  a  well-carved  angel  kneeling 

*  There  is  an  illustrated  article  on  these  bench-ends  in  the  A^itiquary,  vol.  xxv. 


SEATS    AND    BENCHES  267 

at  a  low  reading-desk  and  holding  an  open  book  forms  the 
finial.* 

There  are  many  examples  of  these  substantial  old  oak  benches 
with  well-carved  ends,  pertaining  to  the  iSth  and  i6th  cents.,  in  the 
south-west  of  the  county.  They  may  be  seen  at  Sheviock,  Landulph, 
Landrake,  Talland,  Rame,  and  Anthony.  The  churches  of  Talland, 
Lansallos,  Lanteglos,  and  St.  Winnow  have  all  remarkably  fine 
series.  At  St.  Sampson  some  exceptionally  interesting  bench-ends 
have  been  worked  up  into  a  pulpit  and  reading-desk. 

A  fine  example  of  a  bench-end  at  Lanteglos  with  two  heads  is 
fully  illustrated  in  the  Sketch-book  of  the  Architectural  Association 
(ist  series,  vol.  iv.). 

Alternon  {c.  1500),  Antony,  St.  Austell,  Bradock  (now  reading-desk), 
Bodmin  (1491),  St.  Breoc,  St.  Breward  (now  reredos),  Budock  (two), 
St.  Buryan  (two),  Cardinham,  St.  Columb  Major,  Davidstow,  Eglo- 
shayle,  St.  Enoder,  Endellion,  St.  Eval,  Golant  (now  pulpit  and  reading- 
desk),  Gorran,  Gwinear,  St.  Ives,  St.  Keverne,  Kilkhampton,  Landulf, 
Landrake,  Laneast,  Lanreath,  Lansallos,  Lanteglos,  Launcells, 
Launceston,  St.  Levan,  Lewannick,  Mawgan,  Michaelstow,  St. 
Minver  Morwenstow  (1568),  Mullion,  Padstow,  Phillack  (now 
pulpit),  Poughill,  Poundstock,  Rane,  Ruan  Magnor,  St.  Sampson  (now 
pulpit  and  reading-desk),  Sheviock,  Talland,  Tamarton,  St.  Teath^ 
Tywardrath  (now  pulpit  and  reading-desk),  St,  Winnow,  Zennor. 

Derbyshire 

Breadsall,  Dronfield,  Hartshorne  (Elizabethan),  Morley,  Mugginton  (1600), 
Radbourne  (poppy-heads),  Sawley,  Weston-on-Trent. 

Devonshire 

This  county  is  celebrated  for  the  variety  of  its  bench-ends, 
which  are  in  the  main  of  late  15th  or  early  i6th  cent.  date.  Those 
parts  of  the  county  that  adjoin  Cornwall,  particularly  in  the 
northern  division,  are  for  the  most  part  square-ended,  and  in  many 
respects  resemble  those  of  the  westernmost  county.  Contrariwise 
those  parts  that  border  on  Somersetshire  are  not  infrequently 
ornamented  with  the  poppy-head  finial. 

In  the  north  aisle  of  Colebrooke  church,  dating  from  about  the 

*  For  an  illustrated  account  of  the  woodwork  of  this  church  and  some  others  of  the 
district,  see  J.  H.  Mathews'  History  of  the  Parishes,  St.  Ives^  Lelant,  Towednach,  and 
Zennor  (1892). 


268        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

middle  of  the  15th  cent.,  and  probably  erected  by  Jno.  Coplestone, 
are  many  of  the  original  bench-ends,  some  of  which  display  the 
arms  of  Coplestone  and  Gorges  supported  by  figures  of  savages. 
In  the  case  of  Ilsington  some  of  the  bench-ends  bear  the  arms  of 
the  Beaumonts  and  Pomeroys,  who  possessed  Ingsdon  in  this 
parish  in  the  15th  cent.  On  some  of  the  ends  there  is  a  beautiful 
arrangement  of  quatrefoils,  which  has  caused  a  mistaken  belief  that 
these  benches  are  of  I4th-cent.  date.  There  are  canopied  seats  in 
the  north  transept  and  other  interesting  woodwork. 

The  old  benches  of  Colyton  church  are  perfectly  plain  with 
chamfered  edge.  At  Doddiscombleigh,  Rewe,  and  Tavistock  there 
is  a  goodly  variety  of  square  traceried  ends  which  are  so  common 
in  other  parts  of  the  county.  Ottery  St.  Mary  has  the  richest 
examples  of  traceried  ends.  The  bench-ends  of  Rewe  bear  the 
arms  of  Wadham  impaling  Chisledon  and  Seymour.  The  carved 
ends  of  the  churches  of  North  Tawton,  Horwood,  and  Plymptree 
are  all  of  superior  workmanship,  especially  the  last.  At  Athering- 
ton  the  form  of  the  bench-ends  is  quite  peculiar ;  they  are  elbowed 
and  crocketed.* 

About  half  of  the  group  of  North  Devon  churches  which  are 
included  in  a  triangle,  with  Bideford,  Hartland,  and  Torrington  at 
the  three  points,  have  carved  bench-ends  of  late  15th  or  early  i6th 
cent.  date.  They  differ  somewhat  from  the  more  usual  and  sub- 
stantial examples  in  the  adjacent  parts  of  Cornwall,  though  in  the 
main  square-ended.  In  these  Devonshire  churches  the  symbols  of  the 
Passion,  so  common  in  Cornwall,  are  the  exception,  and  the  carving 
is  usually  of  an  inferior  description.  Occasionally,  however,  there  is 
a  good  deal  of  richness  in  arabesque  patterns,  and  those  interested 
in  the  first  introduction  of  Renaissance  designs  into  English 
churches  ought  to  give  far  more  attention  than  has  yet  been 
bestowed  on  the  comparatively  early  date  when  these  Italian  or 
foreign  patterns  reached  these  country  churches.  Like  patterns  of 
this  period  are  quite  unknown  throughout  whole  counties  of  central 
and  northern  England.  Probably  the  nearness  of  the  then  im- 
portant port  of  Bideford  and  the  nature  of  its  trade  had  something 
to  do  with  these  designs.  Another  feature  of  these  Devonshire 
bench-ends  is  the  prevalence  among  them  of  coats  of  arms,  and 
more  especially  of  distinctive  initials,  pointing   to  early  days  of 

*  There  is  a  good  and  well-illustrated  article  on  the  "  Old  Benches  of  Devonshire  " 
in  the  first  volume  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Exeter  Diocesan  Archittctural  Society. 


SEATS   AND    BENCHES  269 

appropriation  of  pews  or  seats.  At  Sutcombe  there  is  a  rich 
variety  of  these  bench-ends,  most  of  them  exceptionally  well 
carved.  There  are  a  variety  of  loose  ones  at  the  west  end  of  the 
north  aisle,  the  remnants  of  a  somewhat  hasty  restoration.  Three 
bear  shields  of  the  Prideaux  family  ;  one  is  of  six  quarterings,  whilst 
several  have  various  initials.  Other  designs  are  two  fish,  a  merman 
and  mermaid,  a  St.  Andrew's  Cross,  a  double  knot,  various  beasts 
and  dragons  with  convoluted  tails,  and  two  full-length  figures, 
perhaps  intended  for  Apostles.  There  are  also  various  symbols  of 
the  Passion  on  the  restored  stalls  within  the  chancel  screen. 

The  nave  of  Abbotsham  church  is  well  filled  with  old  benches 
having  carved  ends.  Several  bear  various  Passion  symbols,  such 
as  three  nails,  the  lantern,  reed,  and  spear,  and  scourges  ;  there 
are  also  two  full-length  figures,  and  a  well-carved  crucifix  with  Sts. 
Mary  and  John.  In  the  nave  of  Alwington  church  are  thirteen 
pre-Reformation  benches  or  seats,  all  with  well-carved  ends,  chiefly 
of  tracery.  There  are  some  good  examples  of  heraldic  ends  at 
Weir  Gifford.  At  Lancross  there  are  some  remarkable  specimens, 
one  of  which  bears  the  date  1 503.  These  bench-ends  should  also 
be  noted  at  Hartland,  Monkleigh,  Newton  Petrock,  West  Putford, 
Frithelstock,  Littleham,  and  Woolfardisworthy. 

The  nave  of  Hartland  church  is  chiefly  fitted  with  substantial 
oak  seats  or  benches  of  late  i6th-cent.  date.  In  the  south  chapel 
are  several  bench-ends  bearing  the  initials  H.  P.,  which  stand  for 
Hugh  Prust.  He  was  an  important  landowner  in  Hartland,  and 
the  last  upholder  of  the  Guild  of  Our  Lady  before  the  Reformation. 
The  seats  bearing  his  initials  have  been  transferred  from  the  chapel 
on  the  other  side  of  the  chancel.  At  North  Lew  the  benches  bear 
the  date  of  1537  ;  some  of  the  ends  havethe  symbols  of  the  Passion 
and  other  shields  with  monograms. 

Abbotsham,  Alwington,  Ashton,  Atterington,  Bovey  Tracey,  North  Bovey, 
Bradstone,  Braunston,  Broadwood  Widger  (1529),  Buckland  Mona- 
chorem,  East  Budleigh,  Christovv,  Clayhanger,  Cockington,  Cole- 
brooke,  Colyton,  Doddiscombleigh,  Frithelstock,  Hartland,  Horwood, 
Ilsington,  Kenn,  Lancross,  Lapford,  North  Lew  (1537),  Lew 
Trenchard,  Littleham,  Monkleigh,  Newton  Petrock,  Ottery  St.  Mary, 
Okehampton,  Plymptree,  Plympton,  West  Putford,  Rewe,  Sutcombe, 
Tavistock,  North  Tawton,  Week  St.  Pancras,  Weir  Gifford,  Wool- 
fardisworthy. 


270        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Dorsetshne 

The  church  of  Affpuddle  is  furnished  with  well-designed 
benches,  the  ends  of  which  are  carved  with  tracery,  and  the  backs 
with  the  linen-fold  pattern.  The  handsomely  carved  pulpit  is  of 
like  design,  and  shows,  in  common  with  the  seats,  the  progress  of 
the  Renaissance  feeling  in  English  carving.  An  inscription  states 
that — TJies  seyts  were  mayd  in  the  yere  of  oicr  Lord  God 
MCCCCCXL  VII.  The  tynie  of  Thomas  LylyntoUy  vicar  of  this 
Cherche.  Lylynton  or  Lillington  had  been  a  monk  of  Cerne,  but 
being  "  honest  and  conformable,"  was  allowed  to  retain  this  vicarage 
at  the  dissolution  of  the  religious  house. 

Affpuddle    (1547),    Bere     Regis    (now    reading-desk),    Toners    Puddle, 
Yetminster. 

Durham 

On  the  north  side  of  the  chancel  of  Jarrow  are  four  very  fine 
bench-ends  beautifully  carved  in  geometrical  tracery.  They  have 
been  thought  by  some  to  be  of  I4th-cent.  date,  but  the  winged 
heart  pierced  by  a  sword,  which  is  the  badge  or  sign  of  Prior 
Thomas  Castell,  Durham,  1494-15 19,  proves  their  late  date;  this 
prior  is  said  to  have  deliberately  revived  geometrical  architecture. 

Aycliff  (Elizabethan),  Brancepeth  (17th  cent.,  Bishop  Cosin),  Darlington 
(early  Elizabethan),  Jarrow. 

Essex 
Billericay,  Norton  Mandeville,  Great  Waltham,  Writtle. 

Gloucester 

The  church  of  Buckland  has  some  excellent  old  oak  benches  in 
the  nave,  richly  decorated  with  tracery. 

Buckland^  Cubberley,  Haresfield,  Hasfield,  Stanton,  Yate. 

Hampshire 

The  few  instances  noted  in  Hampshire  of  old  benches  are  of 
quite  a  plain  character. 

In  the  south  transept  of  Winchester  cathedral  is  a  noteworthy 
early  bench  of  somewhat  rude  but  strong  construction.     It  will  be 


! 

^^^^HHtv 

^^%-0S^-^^.-  ■ 

'Jfj,,^^  ,:*       "-^..*.  •     .,     ■ 

SEATS    AND    BENCHES 


271 


seen  from  the  nature  of  the  workmanship  and  the  style  of  the 
ornament  that  it  is  coeval  with  the  erection  of  the  transept. 

Bentworth,  Bramley,  Empshott, 
Farnborough,  Heckfield,  Odi- 
ham,  Monk  Sherborne,  Rother- 
wick,  Winchfield. 

Kent 

Adisham,  Badlesmere,  Birling ; 
Canterbury,  Holy  Trinity ; 
Westbere,  Wootton. 

Lancashire 

Bolton-le-Moors   (three   old  stalls),      ^g 
Eccleston,  Maghull. 

Leicestershire 

Ashfordby,  Ayleston,  Church  Lang- 
ton,   Croxton   Kerial,   Dunton 
Bassett   (early),  Goadby  Mar- 
wood,   Hoby,   Horninghold,   Kirby  Bellars,  Knipton;  Leicester,  All 
Saints,  St.  Martin's,  Trinity  Hospital;  Misterton,  Muston,  Noseley, 
Stockerston,  Stretton  Parva,  Theddingworth,  Thorpe  Langton  (Jaco- 
bean), Witherley,  Woodhouse. 


WINCHESTER  CATHEDRAL 


Lincolnshire 

Among  the  bench-ends  of  this  county  may  be  noticed  those 
of  Browne's  Hospital,  Stamford,  founded  about  1480  ;  the  good 
square  bench-ends  at  Walcott ;  the  singular  late  examples  at 
Threckingham ;  and  those  of  Kelby,  which  are  said  to  have 
come  from  the  chapel  of  Culverthorpe  Hall.  The  bench-ends  at 
Theddlethorpe  are  partly  made  from  portions  of  the  old  screen. 
At  Osbournby  there  are  a  variety  of  figure  subjects,  such  as  Adam 
and  Eve,  St.  George  and  the  Dragon,  and  a  fox  preaching  to  geese. 

Addlethorpe,  South  Cockerington,  Coleby,  Digby,  Edenham,  Fenton, 
Folkingham,  Grimoldby,  Hacconby,  Halton  Holgate,  Harpswell, 
Haxby,  Helpringham,  Kelby,  Marsh-Chapel,  North  Wheatley,  Os- 
bournby, Quarrington,  Rauceby,  Saltfleetby,  Sempringham,  Silk 
Willoughby,     Skendleby,     South     Somercotes;     Stamford,     Brown's 


272        ENGLISH   CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Hospital ;  Strubby,  Tattershall^  Theddlethorpe,  Thorpe  St.  Peter, 
Threckingham,  Thurlby-by-Newark,  Welby,  Winthorpe,  Wilsford, 
Yarborough. 

Hertfordshire 
Berkhampstead,  Caddington,  Hunsdon,  Puttenham. 

Hun  tingdonshire 
Fen   Stanton,    Glatton,    Hamerton,    Offord  Cheny,  Southge,  Stanground, 
Swineshead. 

Middlesex 
Drayton,  Littleton,  Ruislip. 

Norfolk 

There  are  many  remains  throughout  the  churches  of  Norfolk  of 
poppy-head  bench-ends,  and  benches  with  occasional  well-carved 
seat  backs,  all  of  15  th-  or  early  i6th-cent.  date.  This  is  more 
particularly  the  case  in  the  north-east  of  the  county,  in  the  Broads 
district.  Both  nave  and  aisle  of  the  little  church  of  Irstead  are 
thus  seated  throughout,  and  the  same  may  nearly  be  said  of  the 
churches  of  South  Walsham  St.  Mary  and  Horsey.  Similar  work 
is  worth  noticing  at  Ashmanhaugh,  Horning,  Stokesby,  Palling, 
Potter  Heigham,  Salhouse,  Hempstead,  and  Barton  Turf. 

In  the  chancel  of  Horning  are  four  well-carved  late  bench-ends. 
On  one  is  a  realistic  demon,  thrusting  a  man  into  the  dragon's 
jaws  ;  on  another  a  man  strangling  a  serpent ;  on  a  third  is  a 
crozier ;  and  the  fourth  is  floriated  ;  there  are  various  poppy-head 
bench-ends  in  the  nave.  The  nave  and  aisles  of  South  Walsham 
St.  Mary  are  seated  almost  throughout  with  late  I5th-cent.  seats 
with  poppy-head  bench-ends;  several  of  these  poppy-heads  bear  in 
their  centre  single  letters,  such  as  T  and  R,  denoting  the  owners  or 
the  donors  of  the  seats;  others  have  brief  inscriptions  in  small 
black-letter  text.  At  the  west  end  of  the  church  of  Stokesby  are 
some  excellent  poppy-head  bench-ends  and  seats  (five  on  each 
side),  with  delicately  carved  backs  ;  six  of  these  poppy-head  finials 
have  carved  figures  attached  on  the  east  sides  ;  one  represents  a 
griffin,  holding  a  shield  bearing  a  cross  raguled  ermine,  another 
a  lady  kneeling  at  a  desk  with  a  rosary,  a  third  a  talbot,  a  fourth  a 
greyhound  with  the  initials  R.  W.,  and  the  two  others  nondescript 


SEATS   AND    BENCHES 


273 


beasts.  At  Ashmanhaugh  there  are  twelve  old  poppy-head  bench- 
ends  at  the  west  end  of  the  church,  and  also  a  piece  of  seat 
panelling  with  a  row  of  five  shields,  on  which  each  of  the  Wounds 
are  severally  carved,  together  with  a  like  number  of  shields  bearing 
initials.  The  highly  interesting  church  of  Barton  Turf  has  six  old 
poppy-head  ends  affixed  to  quire  seats. 

In  the  nave  of  the  neglected  church  of  Palling  are  fourteen  old 
benches,  with  fairly  good  poppy-head  ends  ;  they  are  much  spoilt 
by  the  liberal  use  of  modern  paint,  and  by  having  backs  of  cheap 


CAWSTON,    NORFOLK 


deal  clumsily  attached  to  them.  These  backless  benches  are 
occasionally  found  in  both  Suffolk  and  Norfolk.  The  best  instance 
of  them — here  illustrated — is  at  Cawston,  where  they  have  been 
happily  suffered  to  remain  in  their  original  condition. 

Wimbotsham,  on  the  east  border  of  the  fens,  has  some  remark- 
able bench-ends,  with  poppy-heads  and  elbow-pieces  of  curious 
forms,  such  as  a  muzzled  bear,  cockatrice,  chained  antelope,  lion, 
and  friar  with  beads.  These  are  illustrated  and  described 
vol.  ii.  of  the  JoiLvnal  of  tJie  Norfolk  A  rchceo logical  Society. 


m 


k 


Ashmanhaugh,  Aylmerton,  Bacton,  Barton  Turf,  Beeston  St.  Mary,  Bres- 
singham,  Brisley,  Brinton,  Carbrooke,  Castle  Acre,  Cawston,  Cleye, 
South  Creyke,  Crostwight,  Edingthorpe  (1587),  North  Elmham,  Field 
Bailing,  Forncett,  Freckenham,  Garboldisham,  Hempstead,  Hockering, 
Horsey,  Horning,  Houghton-in-the-Dale,  Irstead,  Lakenheath,  West 

T 


274        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Lynn,  Needham,  .Palling,  Great  Poringland,  Pulham,  Salhouse,  Salt- 
house,  Santon  Downham,  Sco-Ruston  (one),  Soham  Toney,  Sharring- 
ton,  Sheringham,  Great  Snoring,  Sparham,  Stokesby,  Swaffham, 
Swanton  Abbot,  Swanton  Novers,  Thompson,  Thornham,  Threxton, 
West  Tofts,  Trunch,  Tunstead,  Walpole  St.  Peter,  South  Walsham 
St.  Mary,  Great  Walsingham,  Walsoken,  Weybourne,  Wickmere, 
Wiggenhall  St.  Mary_,  Wimbotsham,  Wolferton,  Worstead. 

Northamptonshire 

The  distribution  of  stalls  from  the  once  noble  chancel  of 
Fotheringay  collegiate  church  has  already  been  named.  Many 
of  the  old  I5th-cent.  benches  of  the  same  church  found  their  way 
to  the  church  of  Kingscliffe.  Lowick  and  Kingsthorpe  have  some 
beautiful  poppy-head  examples.  At  Brington  there  is  much 
heraldry  on  the  bench-ends.  There  are  some  good,  though 
dilapidated,  tracery  bench-ends  at  Irchester,  illustrated  in  the 
Sketch-book  of  the  Architectural  Association  (ist  series,  vol.  iv.). 

Addington,  Ashby  St.  Ledger's,  Great  Billing,  Bozeat,  Brington,  Chilveston, 
Clay  Coton,  Duston,  Easton-on-the-Hill  (163 1),  Fawsley  (good), 
Finedon  (earliest  example  of  seats  with  doors),  Hargrave,  Hazelbeach 
(6  good),  Irchester,  Kingscliffe,  Lowick,  Maxey,  Newton  Bromswold, 
Raunds,  Ravensthorpe,  Spratton,  Stanwick,  Tansor,  Ufford,  Wark- 
worth,  Winwick,  Woodford,  Yelvertoft 

Nottinghamshire 

In  this  county  there  are  several  churches  with  I5th-cent.  carved 
bench-ends  that  have  good  poppy-head  finials.  At  Barnby-in-the- 
Willows  are  twenty  old  benches  of  this  character,  late  in  the  style  ; 
at  Cropwell  Bishop  there  are  five,  which  may  be  as  early  as 
Richard  II. ;  at  Granby  there  are  fourteen,  with  a  mermaid  on 
one  of  them  ;  and  at  Costock  there  are  six  old  ends,  with  the  rest 
modern.  There  are  the  large  number  of  forty  in  the  nave  of 
Balderton  ;  the  poppy-heads  are  in  this  church  uniquely  formed 
of  a  couple  of  rabbits,  with  their  heads  downwards.  The  otliers 
named  in  the  following  short  list  are  plain  examples.  The  late 
traceried  bench-ends  at  Newark  are  good  of  their  kind  ;  there 
are  drawings  of  them  in  the  Sketch-book  of  the  Architectural 
Association  (ist  series,  vol.  viii.). 

The  remains  of  old  seating  in  the  church  of  East  Leake  are 
varied  and  unusual.  There  are  some  rather  clumsy  poppy-heads 
of  i5th-cent.  date,  whilst  there  are  other  more  rugged  ones  with 


SEATS    AND    BENCHES 


275 


peculiar  roundel  patterns,  which  are  of  the  Jacobean  period.     The 
bench-end  of  one  of  the  latter  is  dated  16 12. 

Balderton,    Barnby-in-the-Willows,    Bilsthorpe,    Car    Colston,    Clayworth, 


EAST   LEAKE,    NOTTS. 


Costock,    Cropwell    Bishop,    Edvvalton,  Granby,  Holme,    Kneesall, 
East  Leake,  Newark. 

Oxfordshire 

There  are  some  excellent  bench-ends  at  Hampton  Poyle,  of 
which  there  are  some  good  drawings  in  the  Sketch-book  of  the 
Architectural  Association  (ist  series,  vol.  iii.). 

Ashton,  Chastleton,  Emden,  Hampton  Poyle,  Haseley,  Heyford,  Milcombe, 
Stanton  St.  John  (poppy-heads,  most  curious).  Steeple  Aston,  Swin- 
brook.  Tew,  Great  Wroxton. 

RiUlandsJiire 
Caldecot,  Kelton,  Morcott,  Stoke  Dry. 

Shropshire 
Donnington  (early),  Holgate,  Ludlow. 


ENGLISH   CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Staffordshire 


276 

Blithfield,  Blore,  Checkley, 


Somersetshire 

This   county  is   one    of  those    most  celebrated  for  its  carved 
bench-ends,  which  belong  as  a  rule  to  the  close  of  the  15th  cent. 


EAST   LEAKE,    NOTTS. 

until  the  end  of  the  reign  of  Henry  VIII.  It  is  interesting  to  note 
that  they  chiefly  occur,  as  in  the  case  of  the  screens  in  the  Quantock 
and  West  Somerset  districts,  where  the  local  stone  is  intractable. 
It  has  frequently  been  coolly  assumed  that  "a  band  of  Flemish 
Carvers"  went  through  Somersetshire  and  North  Devon  carving 
pew  ends,  about  15  30-1 540,  and  introducing  Renaissance  designs 
among  Gothic  tracery.  There  is  not,  however,  so  far  as  we  are 
aware,  one  jot  of  evidence  to  substantiate  the  idea  of  this  foreign 
incursion.     The  probabilities  are  far  stronger,  that  this  profusion 


SEATS   AND    BENCHES 


277 


of  delightful  workmanship  was  the  result  of  local  effort  and  skill, 
based  perchance  on  patterns  brought  from  over  the  seas. 

The  bench-ends  are  nearly  always  made  of  excellent  oak,  very 
thick  and  strong.  Over  a  thousand  of  them  remain  in  this  county, 
and  they  are  as  a  rule  in  thoroughly  good  preservation. 

The  earliest    fixed   church  seats  in  England  are  at  Clapton, 


BROOMFIELD,    SOMERSET 


MONKSILVER,    SOMERSET 


North  Somerset,  of  the  reign  of  Edward  I.  ;  the  ends  are  un- 
carved  but  curiously  curved.  The  seats  of  North  Cadbury  are  of 
I4th-cent.  date.  The  vast  majority,  however,  are  of  the  period 
already  named. 

In  the  large  church  of  Bishop's  Lydeard  the  bench-ends  have 
a  great  variety  of  carvings,  figures,  animals,  foliage,  and  geometrical 
patterns  ;  the  more  striking  are  a  three-masted  ship  and  a  wind- 
mill.     Occasionally  these  bench-ends  were  coloured  when  first 


278        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


made,  particularly  in  the  case  of  heraldry  ;  but  the  profusion  of  red 
and  blue  paint  coarsely  laid  on  at  Bishop's  Lydeard  is  a  compara- 
tively modern  treatment.  At  Crowcombe,  where  one  of  the  panels 
is  dated  1534,  there  is  much  excellent  design  in  foliage,  as  well  as 
a  few  grotesques.  At  Spaxton  the  most  remarkable  bench-end 
represents  a  fuller  busy  at  his  work  of  preparing  cloth  with  the 

various  implements  of  his  trade  beside 
him.  One  of  the  beautifully  carved 
bench-ends  at  Kingston  shows  the  date 
of  1522.  Broomfield  has  some  singu- 
larly good  ends  of  both  conventional 
and  natural  foliage  ;  one  of  these,  in 
which  a  bird  is  introduced  on  the  stem 
of  a  fruitful  vine,  is  a  most  effective 
piece  of  graceful  design.  Monksilver 
has  some  of  the  best  instances  of  geo- 
metrically arranged  tracery.  Three 
bench-ends  at  Brent  Knoll  illustrate  the 
mediaeval  legend  of  Reynard  the  Fox 
after  a  detailed  and  most  realistic 
manner. 

Church  work  that  can  be  safely  as- 
signed to  the  reign  of  Queen  Mary  is 
of  very  rare  occurrence  ;  but  at  Mil- 
verton  are  some  good  seats  of  this  date. 
The  bench-ends  are  chiefly  carved  in 
medallions ;  the  figure  of  the  Queen 
occurs  several  times  in  a  kneeling  atti- 
tude ;  there  are  also  figures  of  Cardinal 
Pole  and  Bishop  Gardiner.  The  rose 
and  pomegranate  occur  frequently,  and  in  one  case  an  aspersorium 
or  sprinkler  is  represented.* 

At  Trull,  near  Taunton,  there  are  several  early  Elizabethan 
bench-ends.  On  one  of  them  is  carved  John  Waye  clarke  herCy 
Simon   Warm  am  maker  of  thys  work  Anno  Dni  1560. 

Alford,    Barton  St.  David,  Bicknoller,  Bishop's  Hull,  Bishop's  Lydeard, 

*  Illustrations  of  Somersetshire  bench-ends  occur  in  various  volumes  of  the  Journal 
of  the  Somersetshire  Archceological  Society — viii.,  Spaxton;  xviii.,  Kingston;  xxviii., 
Whitestaunton  and  Ban  well ;  and  xx^xiv,,  Cheddar.  See  also  a  good  general  illustrated 
paper  by  Mr*Alexander  Gordon  in  the  Reliquary^  April,  1904, 


CROWCOMBE,    SOMERSET 


SEATS   AND    BENCHES  279 

East  Brent,  Brent  Knoll,  Broomfield,  Bruton,  West  Buckland  (14th 
cent.),  North  Cadbury  (1538),  West  Camel,  Cheddar,  Chedzoy, 
Chewton  Mendip,  Clapton,  Clevedon,  Corton  Donham  (1541), 
Cothelstone,  Croscombe  {Sketch-book),  Crowcombe  (1534),  Curry 
Rivel,  St.  Decuman,  Donyat,  Hatch  Beauchamp,  Hill  Farrence,  Isle 
Abbot,  Kmston  St.  Mary  (1522),  Limington,  Lydeard  St.  Lawrence, 
Lyng,  Mells  (Jacobean),  Meriott,  Milverton,  Monksilver,  Mudford, 
Norton  Fitzwarren,  Nettlecombe,  Oake,  Queens  Camel,  Sampford 
Brett,  Sandford  Orcas,  Spaxton,  Stogumber,  Stoke  St.  Gregory,  Thorn- 
falcon,  Tintinhull,  Trent,  Trull  (1560),  Wellow,  White  Staunton, 
Winsham,  Weston-Zoyland,  Wraxhall. 


Stiffolk 

This  county,  as  has  been  already  mentioned,  is  most  exception- 
ally well  supplied  with  pre-Reformation  seating,  which  in  the  large 
majority  of  cases  has  poppy-head  bench-ends.  The  churches  of 
Norton  and  Shelley  have  a  very  large  number  of  fine  examples  in 
good  condition. 

The  fine  church  of  Blythburgh  is  exceptionally  rich  in  a  variety 
of  old  woodwork.  In  the  chancel  are  a  set  of  stalls  with  returned 
ends,  with  the  Apostles  in  niches  on  the  front  panelling.  The  ends 
have  the  quartered  arms  of  Swillington  and  Roos.  These  stalls, 
quite  unsuitable  for  a  large  quire,  have  unfortunatey  been  moved 
here  from  the  north  chapel.  But  the  most  interesting  of  all  the  old 
woodwork  in  this  church  is  the  array  of  old  oak  seats  in  the  nave, 
which  are  coeval  with  the  present  church,  V.  1475.  The  finials  of 
many  of  the  bench-ends  are  most  remarkable,  and  consist  of  human 
figures,  several  of  a  somewhat  grotesque  though  speaking  character. 
A  set  of  seven  were  undoubtedly  intended  to  represent  the  Seven 
Deadly  Sins  ;  they  are  boldly  conceived,  and  represented  with 
some  skill  and  ingenuity.  One  of  them  has  been  sawn  off  at  some 
comparatively  recent  period,  probably  because  it  represented  one 
of  the  deadly  sins  with  too  much  realism.  The  set  of  The  Seasons, 
though  a  more  attractive  subject,  is  less  original.  These  old  oak 
seats,  though  having  such  elaborately  carved  ends,  were  originally 
backless. 

Many  of  the  other  churches  of  Blything  Hundred  are  rich  in 
pre-Reformation  benches  and  bench-ends,  which  mostly  have 
poppy-head  terminals.  Among  them  may  be  mentioned  the 
churches  of  Cookley,  Cratfield,  Darsham,  Frostenden,  Linstead  Parva, 


28o        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


Rumburgh,  South  Cove  (throughout),  Westhall,  Wissett  (backless), 
etc. 

Aldeburgh,  Aldham,  Aldringham,  Ashfield,  Athelington,  Bacton,  Badley, 
Barking,  Barnardiston,  Barningham,  Barrow,  Great  Barton,  Barton 
Mills,  Great  Bealings,  Bedingfield,  Bentley,  Blundeston,  Blythburgh, 
Bradfield  St.  George,  Bramfield,  Brandon,  Brockley,  Bromeswell, 
Bruisyard,  Bury  St.  Edmunds,  Cavendish,  Charsfield,  Chediston, 
Chevington,  Cockfield,  Cookley,  Combs,  South  Cove,  Cowling,  Crat- 
field,  Culpho,  Dalham,  Darsham,  Debenham,  Dennington,  Monks 
Eleigh,  Ellough,  South  Elmham  All  Saints,  Elmswell,  Elvedon, 
Eriswell,  Exning,  Felixstowe,  Finningham,  Flixton,  Framsden, 
Freckenham,  Frostenden,  Fressingfield,  Gazeley,  Gedding,  Gisling- 
ham,  Grundisburgh,  Hackerton,  Hartest,  Hasketon,  Haughley, 
Hawstead,  Hemingston,  Henley  St.  Peter,  Hepworth,  Hitcham, 
Hollingsley,  Honnington,  Hunston,  Icklingham,  Ingham,  Kedington, 
Kettleburgh,  Knettishall,  Lakenheath,  Langbam,  Lavenham,  Lawshall, 
Laxfield,  Martlesham,  Mellis,  Mickfield,  Moulton,  Nedging,  New- 
bourne,  Norton,  Nowton,  Occold,  Otley,  Parham,  Poslingford, 
Preston,  Rede,  Great  Redisham,  Little  Redisham,  Redlingfield,  Rings- 
field,  Risby,  Rougham,  Rushmere  All  Saints,  Rushmere  St.   Andrew, 

Shelley,  Shottisham,  Monk 
Soham,  Syleham,  Sproughton, 
Stansfield,  Stanton  All  Saints, 
Stowlangtoft,  Stowmarket, 
Stoke  -  by  -  Nayland,  Stradis- 
hall,  Sutton,  Thorington, 
Thorndon,  Thorpe,  Thran- 
deston,  Thurlow,  Tostock, 
Troston,  Tuddenham  St. 
Martin,  Tuddenham  St.  Mary, 
Ufford,  Waldingfield,  Wal- 
sham-le-Willows,  Wantisden, 
Wattis field.  Great  Wenham, 
Westhall,  Westleton,  Wether- 
ingsett,  Winston,  Withersfield, 
Woolpit,  Wordwell,  Great 
Wratting,  Little  Wratting, 
Wyverston,  Yaxley. 


SEND,    SURREY- 


Surrey 

There  is  but  little  pre-Reformation  seating  remaining  in  this 
county.    At  the  church  of  Dunsfold  there  are  some  simple  forms 


SEATS    AND    BENCHES  281 

of  plain  massive  benches  with  good  mouldings  and  ends  cut  out  of 
the  solid.  They  are  undoubtedly  of  an  exceptionally  early  date,  and 
are  considered  by  Mr.  Philip  Johnston  to  be  c.  1290.  At  Ockham 
there  are  some  old  carved  oak  stalls  in  the  chancels,  and  seats  in 
the  nave.  The  plain  massive  I5th-cent.  benches  of  Send  church 
have  excellent  mouldings. 

Alfold,  Great  Bookham,  Chessington,  Dunsfold,  Effingham,  Lingfield, 
Nutley,  Ockham,  Pirford,  Send,  Woking. 

Sussex 

Broadwater  (quire  stall),  Burpham,  Clymping,  Didling,  Kirdford,  Hurst- 
pierpoint,  Poynings,  Upwaltham. 

Warwickshire 

Coughton,  Morton  Bagot,  Oxhill,  Preston  Bagot,  Rowington,  Shotswell, 
Snitterfield,  Tysoe,  Wootton  Wawen. 

Westmoreland 
Beetham. 

Wiltshire 
Britford  (14th),  Crudwell,  Malmesbury,  Mere,  Minty. 

Worcestershire 

A  summary  account  of  the  parish  churches  of  this  county  which 
appeared  in  the  Gentleman's  Magazine  for  1862,  mentions  that 
the  naves  of  Chaddesley  Corbett,  Great  Comberton,  Cropthorne, 
Elmley  Castle,  Overbury,  and  Strensham  were  filled  with  old  open 
benches.  At  Overbury,  Bredon,  Sedgebourne,  North  Piddle,  and 
Cropthorne  the  bench-ends  had  carved  tracery,  but  the  rest  were 
plain  with  moulded  top-rails.  The  ends  at  Sedgeberrow  and 
Elmley  Castle  had  plain  poppy-head  finials. 

At  Harvington  there  are  several  open  seats  in  the  nave  which 
bear  texts  from  Scripture  on  the  backs  and  ends  ;  they  are  dated 
1582.  The  i8th-cent.  pews  of  Wickhamford  have  a  variety  of  late 
I5th-cent.  panels  let  into  the  ends  and  doors. 

Birts  Morton,  Bredon,  Chaddesley  Corbett,  Great  Comberton,  Cropthorne, 
Eckington,  Elmley  Castle,  Hanley  Castle,  Harvington  (1582),  South 
Littleton,  Overbury,  Pendock  (post-Reformation),  North  Piddle, 
Sedgeberrow,  Strensham,  Suckley,  Wickhamford. 


282        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


Yorkshire 

At  Aysgarth  the  reading-desk  has  some  remarkable  I5th-cent. 
carving  ;  on  the  east  side  is  the  initial  W,  and  the  representation 
of  a  hazel  tree  and  tun  ;  on  the  west  side  beneath  a  mitre  and 
crozier  are  the  initials  H.  M.  These  were  originally  stall  ends, 
and  give  the  initials  and  rebus  of  William  de  Hesleton,  who  was 
elected  abbot  of  Jervaulx  in  1475.  At  Wensley  are  some  singu- 
larly beautiful  chancel  stalls,  surmounted  by  fine  poppy-heads  and 
heraldic  beasts.  They  also  show  the  arms  of  Scrope  of  Bolton, 
Tiptoft,  and  Dacre.  Round  them  runs  the  following  inscription : 
Henricus  Richerdson  Mijus  ecclesiae  rector  hos  fecit  sumptns  {anno) 
Domini  mcccccxvii.     Soli  Deo  honor  et  gloriae. 

Aysgarth,  Crayke  (1637),  Darfield,  Ecclesfield,  Kirby   Hill,  Lastingham, 
Leake,  Marton-in-the-Forest,  Middleton,  Raskelf,  Thirsk,  Wensley. 


PEWS 

The  term  "  pew,"  or  "  pue,"  originally  meant  an  elevated  place 
or  seat,  and  hence  came  to  be  applied  to  seats  or  enclosures  in 
churches  for  persons  of  dignity  or  officials.  But  it  is  only  of  com- 
paratively recent  times  that  the  term  has  gained  an  almost  exclu- 
sively ecclesiastical  use.  Milton  used  the  word  to  describe  the 
sheep-pens  of  Smithfield,  and  Pepys  applied  it  to  a  box  at  the 
theatre.  Nor  was  pew  always  used  to  denote  a  separate  or  private 
seat  or  enclosure  in  connection  with  churches  even  in  pre-Reforma- 
tion  days.  Thus  John  Younge,  of  Heme,  by  will  of  1458,  gave 
"to  the  fabric  of  the  church  of  Heme,  viz.  to  make  seats  called 
puyinge  x  marks." 

Nevertheless,  the  word  "  pew,"  in  its  church  signification,  was 
for  a  long  period  assigned  exclusively  to  an  enclosed  seat.  The 
earliest  known  use  of  the  term  occurs  in  the  famous  poem  of  the 
Vision  of  Piers  Ploughman,  c,  1 360.  Wratthe,  in  his  confession, 
says  that  he  was  accustomed  to  sit  among  wives  and  widows 
shut  up  in  pews,  adding  that  this  was  a  fact  well  known  to  the 
parson  of  the  parish.* 

*    "  Among  wyes  and  wodewes 
Ich  am  ywoned  seete 
Yparroked  in  puwes 
»  The  parson  him  knoweth." 

"  Yparroked  "  means  shut  up  or  enclosed. 


PEWS  283 

There  is,  however,  an  important  record  as  to  apportioned  seats, 
nearly  a  century  earlier  than  the  days  of  this  quotation.  At  a 
synod  at  Exeter,  held  by  Bishop  Quivil  in  the  year  1287,  the 
following  order  was  made  : — 

"  We  have  heard  that  the  parishioners  of  divers  places  do  oftentimes 
wrangle  about  their  seats  in  church,  two  or  more  claiming  the  same  seat ; 
whence  arises  great  scandal  to  the  church ;  and  the  divine  offices  are  sore 
let  and  hindered.  Wherefore  we  decree  that  none  shall  henceforth  call 
any  seat  in  the  church  his  own,  save  noble  persons  and  patrons.  He  who 
for  the  cause  of  prayer  shall  first  enter  a  church,  let  him  select  a  place 
of  prayer  according  to  his  will." 

So  soon  as  the  period  is  reached  for  which  there  are  extant 
wardens'  accounts,  the  mention  of  pews  of  particular  persons  is  of 
general  occurrence. 

The  church  accounts  of  St.  Mary-at-Hill,  London,  which  begin 
in  1420,  abound  in  references  to  pews  ;  the  use  of  the  word  in  these 
entries  is  quite  distinct  from  any  general  seating  or  benches.  The 
making  of  "new  pewes  "  occurs  in  the  accounts  for  1476-77  and  the 
following  year,  showing  that  there  had  been  pews  there  long 
anterior  to  that  period.  They  were  allocated  to  particular  persons  : 
thus  "Mastres  Abclyffe's  "  pew  occurs  in  1493,  and  those  of  Mrs. 
Maskall  and  Mrs.  Overy  in  1496.  At  later  pre-Reformation  dates 
the  references  to  special  pews  multiply,  such  as  the  alderman's 
pew,  Mrs.  Russell's  maid's  pew,  Mrs.  Roche's  maiden's  pew,  and  Mr. 
Roche's  pew.  In  1503  came  more  general  pewing  of  the  church, 
for  26s.  Sd.  was  spent  "  for  makkyng  the  mens  pewys,"  and  £4  "  for 
the  makkyng  of  the  new  vemens  pewys."  One  pew,  containing  a 
mat,  was  used  for  shriving  or  hearing  confessions  ;  it  is  mentioned 
in  1487  and  in  1493.  The  pews  were  in  various  parts  of  the 
church — at  the  west  end,  next  the  pulpit,  in  the  south  aisle,  in  the 
body  of  the  church,  at  the  north  door,  and  also  in  the  chapels. 

The  churchwardens'  accounts  of  St.  Michael's,  Cornhill,  have — 

Item  [1460]  payd  for  an  henge  for  Russell's  wife's  pew  .  .  .  iiij*^ 
Item  to  a  carpenter  by  a  day  floring  a  pew  and  other  necessaraes  .  viij*^ 
Item  [1466]  payd  to  a  carpenter  for  mending  of  the  pewes  and  dores  v^    v^ 

The  last  of  these  entries  appears  to  be  one  of  the  earliest 
distinct  mention  of  a  pew  having  a  door  to  it,  and  the  next  of  its 
having  a  lock. 

Item    [1467]   payd   to   a   smith  for  mayking  of  a  lok  to  Maister 

Stokkens  pew  ^        ...,.,...        .     viij'^ 


284        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

In  John  Russell's  Boke  of  Nahire,  1450,  the  chamberlain  is 
instructed  before  his  lord  goes  to  church  "to  procure  all  the 
things  for  his  pewe,  and  that  it  be  prepared  both  with  cossyn, 
carpet  and  curteyn,  bedes  and  boke." 

By  will  of  1453,  William  Wintringham  directed  his  body  to  be 
buried  in  the  church  of  St.  Mary  Magdalen,  Old  Fish  Street,  and 
an  inscription  to  be  fixed  in  the  wall  near  his  wife's  pew,  ad  sedile 
vocaf  Anglice pewe. 

A  great  variety  of  further  quotations  from  wills  and  parish 
accounts  are  given  by  Mr.  W.  J.  Hardy  in  a  paper  in  the 
ArchcBologia  (vol.  liii.  1892),  entitled  "Remarks  on  the  History  of 
Seat  Reservation  in  Churches." 

After  the  Reformation,  the  custom  of  reserved  pews  grew 
apace,  though  vigorously  condemned  by  the  best  divines.  Bishop 
Corbett,  of  Norwich,  in  a  sermon  preached  in  1623,  said — 

"  Stately  pews  are  now  become  tabernacles  with  rings  and  curtains  to 
them.  There  wants  nothing  but  beds  to  hear  the  word  of  God  on ;  we 
have  casements,  locks,  and  keys,  and  cushions.  I  had  almost  said  bolsters 
and  pillows,  and  for  these  we  love  the  church.  I  will  not  guess  what  is 
done  within  them,  who  sits,  stands,  or  lies  asleep  at  prayers,  communion, 
etc.,  but  this  I  dare  say  they  are  either  to  hide  some  vice,  or  to  proclaim 
one ;  to  hide  disorder  or  to  proclaim  pride." 

Bishop  Earle,  in  1628,  mentions  keys  in  the  character  of  "  The 
She  Precise  Hypocrite  " — 

"  She  doubts  of  the  Virgin  Mary's  salvation,  and  dares  not  Saint  her : 
but  knows  her  own  place  in  Heaven,  as  perfectly  as  the  pew  she  has  a 
key  to." 

In  163 1,  Bishop  Neile,  of  Winchester,  issued  a  monition  to  the 
churchwardens  of  Elvetham,  Hants,  requesting  them  to  remove 
"  all  the  locks  upon  any  of  the  said  pews  within  the  said  church 
before  Pentecost  next  ensueing." 

Pepys,  in  his  Diary,  records  that  "  one  day  he  was  fain  to  stay 
at  his  pew  door  because  the  sexton  had  not  opened  it."  About 
1642  the  fashion  of  providing  pews  with  locks  became  common. 
It  was  strongly  condemned  by  Laud  and  his  followers. 

The  post- Reformation  pews  of  the  upper  classes,  particularly  of 
the  squires  in  country  parishes,  were  undoubtedly  of  a  larger  and 
more  obtrusive  character  than  anything  which  had  prevailed  in  the 


PEWS  285 

unreformed  days.  The  fact  is  that  these  enclosed  boxes,  seated 
and  cushioned  all  round,  were  the  successors  in  very  many  cases 
of  the  old  chantry  parcloses  at  the  east  end  of  the  aisles — of  which 
just  a  few  remain — within  which  stood  an  altar  with  room  for  the 
celebrant  and  his  clerk,  and  with  one  or  two  prie-dieits  behind 
them  used  by  the  founder  and  his  dame,  and  afterwards  by  their 
descendants.  When  chantries  were  abolished,  the  lord  of  the 
manor  retained  the  chantry  space,  and  by  degrees  it  assumed  the 
form  so  vehemently  inveighed  against  by  prelates  just  cited,  and 
still  more  fiercely  by  Bishop  Cosin  after  the  Restoration.  By 
degrees,  too,  the  smaller  squirearchy,  the  professional  man,  the 
successful  trader,  or  the  yeoman  farmer,  desired  to  imitate  the 
great  man  of  the  parish,  and  hence  somewhat  smaller  boxes  or 
enclosed  pews,  also  squared,  grew  up  in  the  rear  of  the  big 
manorial  pew. 

At  the  east  end  of  the  north  aisle  of  Wensley  church,  Yorks., 
is  a  curious  and  interesting  pew  screen  round  the  seats  for  the 
Scrope  family.  It  is  composed  partly  of  a  rich  wood  screen  of 
1 5th-cent.  date,  which  originally  enclosed  a  chantry  chapel  on  this 
site.  In  the  time  of  James  I.,  when  it  was  converted  into  a  family 
pew,  a  top,  or  ceiling  with  pendants,  was  added  to  it,  and  another 
wood  screen  of  Italian  renaissance  placed  within  the  older  one  of 
Gothic  tracery.  The  whole  was  then  painted  white  and  gilded 
in  parts,  and  the  shields  blazoned.  It  presents  a  most  curious 
appearance. 

Much  excellent  carving  is  to  be  found  in  various  of  these  state 
pews  which  still  survive  in  different  parts  of  the  country.  A  few 
of  the  more  remarkable  may  be  briefly  mentioned.  Several  of 
Elizabethan  date  have  been  cleared  away  by  "  restorers,"  notably 
a  fine  pew  of  classical  design,  coeval  with  the  screen,  c.  1585,  at 
Holdenby  church,  Northants.  A  good  many  fragments  of  this 
pew,  which  used  to  stand  at  the  east  end  of  the  north  aisle,  remain 
in  the  tower  belfry.  There  is  some  excellent  carving  round  the 
Corporation  pew  in  the  parish  church  of  Bridgewater,  Somerset ; 
but  the  screenwork  in  this  case  came  from  the  old  rood  screen. 
The  screen-enclosed  pews,  locally  known  as  "cages,"  in  the 
Lancashire  church  of  Whalley,  are  undoubtedly  survivors  of  chantry 
parclose  work.  In  several  cases,  as  at  the  east  end  of  the  south 
aisle  of  Ightham,  Kent,  there  are  now  rows  of  seats  within  old 
parclose  screens  that  still  occupy  their  original  position. 


286 


ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


At  Ashby  St.  Ledgers,  Northants,  are  two  beautifully  carved 
Jacobean  (uncanopied)  pews  close  to  the  screen.  At  Geddington, 
in  the  same  county,  there  is  in  the  vestry  a  chest  made  of  wood- 
work of  pews  that  were  destroyed  at  a  restoration  ;  the  pieces 
include  a  panel  dated  1602,  said  to  have  belonged  to  the  earliest 
known  dated  peiv. 

To  make  the  state  pew  still  more  cosy,  and  proudly  distinctive 


from  the  rest  of  the  church,  the  fashion  set  in,  early  in  the  17th 
cent.,  of  having  them  roofed  in  with  canopies  or  testers.  A  fine, 
though  rather  late  example  of  a  canopied  pew  occurs  at  Stokesay, 
Salop.  There  is  a  curious  and  more  enriched  instance  at  Madeley, 
Herefords.  Other  interesting  pews  of  this  character  may  be 
noticed  at  Kedington  (1619),  Suffolk,  at  Ellingham,  Hants,  and 
at  Teversall,  Notts.  In  the  last  of  the  instances  the  tester  is 
supported  by  twisted  shafts,  which  point  to  the  latter  part  of  the 
17th  cent. 

The    fairly  close   resemblance  of  some   of  these  pews  to  the 


PEWS 


287 


elaborate  tester  bedsteads  of  Elizabethan  and  Jacobean  date  led 
Swift  thus  to  satirize  them  in  Baucis  and  Philemon — 

•'  A  bedstead  of  the  antique  mode, 
Compact  of  timber  many  a  load, 
Such  as  our  ancestors  did  use, 
Was  metamorphosed  into  pews  ; 
Which  still  their  ancient  nature  keep 
By  lodging  folks  disposed  to  sleep." 


STOKESAY,    SALOP, 


288        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Good  work  such  as  balustrading  or  pierced  carving  may  be 
noticed  occasionally  surviving  in  the  tops  of  high  pews.  Derbyshire 
has  two  excellent  examples  in  the  opened  railed  pews  of  the 
chancel  of  Haddon  Hall  chapel,  c.  1625,  and  in  the  fine  pews 
of  Kedleston  chancel,  c.  1700. 

Other  instances  of  early  post-Reformation  pews  or  pew  screens 
that  are  noteworthy  occur  at  Hayes  Barton  and  Holcombe,  Devon; 
Herriard  (now  in  front  of  organ),  Hants;  Chorley,  Lanes.;  Breedon, 
Leics. ;  Blickling,  Norfolk ;  Barking,  Lavenham,  Shelley,  and  Little 
Thurlow,  Suffolk  ;  Kirkby  Malham,  W.  R.  Yorks.  ;  and  Stratford- 
on-Avon,  Warwicks.  The  pew  screens  in  the  chancel  of  Brough 
church,  Westmoreland,  should  also  be  noted  ;  they  are  illustrated  in 
the  first  volume  of  the  new  series  of  the  Architectural  Sketch-book. 


GALLERIES 

Church  galleries,  irrespective  of  those  on  rood  screens  or  else- 
where in  larger  churches  for  minstrelsy,  were  not  unknown  in 
our  parish  churches  in  pre-Reformation  days.  There  are  two 
interesting  examples  of  early  i6th-cent.  west  galleries  beneath  the 
towers  of  the  fine  Norfolk  churches  of  Worstead  and  Cawston.  In 
both  cases  these  galleries  are  of  good  workmanship,  and  well 
carved  and  painted.  Cawston  bears  an  inscription  beginning  "  God 
spede  the  plow."  The  following  inscription,  which  has  been  so 
often  misread  and  misquoted,  appears  in  black-letter  on  the  front 
of  the  Worstead  gallery  : — 

"  This  work  was  made  in  ye  yer  of  God  MCCCCCI  at  ye  propur  cost 
of  ye  cantell  of  ye  chyrche  of  Worsted  callyd  ye  batchellers  lyte  yt  God 
preserve  wt  all  the  benefactors  of  ye  same  now  and  ever,  Amen,  than  wer 
husbondes  Christofyer  Rant  and  Jeffery  Deyn." 

There  is  another  Norfolk  example  of  much  the  same  character 
and  date  at  the  church  of-  Aylsham. 

Several  other  large  towers  of  East  Anglia,  although  they  have 
lost  their  west  galleries,  show  by  their  construction  that  they  were 
devised  with  that  object ;  for  the  newel  staircase  has  a  doorway,  to 
^vjQ  access  to  such  a  gallery,  on  a  level  with  the  base  of  the  west 
window.  This  may  be  noted,  inter  alia,  at  Cromer  and  South 
Repps.  It  is  generally  supposed  that  these  west  galleries  were  for 
the  singers,  but  this  is  by  no  means  certain. 


GALLERIES 


289 


In  the  south  porch  at  Weston-in-Gordano,  Somerset,  there  is  a 
small  gallery  above  the  doorway  with  a  staircase  giving  access  to 
it ;  there  are  traces  of  the  same  arrangement  at  the  neighbouring 
churches  of  Clapton,  Portishead,  Kingston  Seymour,  and  Wraxhall 
in  the  same  county,  and  at  Westbury-on-Trym,  Glos.,  and  Caldecott, 
Mons.  In  the  case  of 
Westbury  there  is  a  par- 
vise  chamber  above  the 
gallery.  It  is  believed 
that  these  porch  galleries 
were  to  accommodate  the 
choristers  who  sang  the 
"  Gloria,  laus  et  honor," 
on  Palm  Sunday. 

In  the  17th  cent,  the 
erection  of  west  galleries, 
which  were  frequently  re- 
served for  vocal  or  instru- 
mental music,  became 
fairly  general;  and  in  not 
a  few  cases  they  were 
made  sufficiently  large  to 
accommodate  a  consider- 
able portion  of  the  general 
congregation.  Eventually, 
particularly  throughout 
the  1 8th  cent,  they  ex- 
tended themselves  on  the 

north  and  south  sides  of  the  naves,  obscuring  the  light,  filling 
up  the  aisle  arcades,  and  causing  grievous  disfigurement  to  the 
fabric.  Such  large  galleries  were  a  striking  evidence  of  the  mean- 
ness of  the  churchmanship  of  the  times  of  their  erection.  Where 
our  forefathers  would  have  supplied  other  churches  or  chapels- 
of-ease  for  increased  population,  their  descendants  were  content  to 
run  up  these  cheap  wooden  contrivances  for  the  seating  of  additional 
numbers. 

Nevertheless,  not  a  few  of  the  earlier  post-Reformation  galleries, 
of  limited  dimensions  were  well  built,  and  of  little  or  no  disfigure- 
ment to  the  fabric.     In  such  cases,  it  is  a  distinct  misfortune  that 
ruthless  renovators  have  swept  away  so  many  of  these  erections, 
u 


^- 


CAWSTON,    NORFOLK 


290        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

which  bore  evidence  of  the  good  intentions  and  fair  taste  of  the 
donors. 

Among  the  best  of  the  earher  examples  of  good  west  galleries 
of  the  17th  cent,  may  be  mentioned  the  handsome  one  at  St. 
Peter's,  Wolverhampton,  of  the  year  1610 ;  another  at  Lyme 
Regis,  Dorset,  with  inscription  recording  its  erection  by  John 
Hassard  in  161 1;  and  a  third  at  Farnborough,  Hants,  with 
Jacobean  balustrade  work  in  the  front. 

The  church  of  Odiham,  Hants,  has  two  noteworthy  oak  galleries. 
In  the  western  recessed  bays  of  the  nave,  on  each  side  of  the 
tower,  are  remarkably  good  balustraded  gallery  fronts,  and  the 
work  on  the  stair  rail  of  each  of  the  staircases  against  the  west 
wall  whereby  they  are  gained  is  exceptionally  effective.  Both 
from  their  workmanship  and  the  nature  of  the  inscription  they 
bear,  these  galleries  are  to  be  reckoned  among  the  later  treasures 
of  this  church.  In  the  first  instance,  these  now  separated  galleries 
seem  to  have  formed  part  of  one  continuous  west  gallery  which 
was  set  back,  and  a  portion  removed  to  give  way  to  a  new  centre 
west  gallery  in  1836.  Below  the  rearranged  fronts  of  the  now  two 
west  galleries  is  the  following  inscription  in  raised  capital  letters, 
the  break  of  the  tower  occurring  (quaintly  enough)  actually  in 
the  middle  of  the  date  16 — 32  : — 

"  Rivers  Smith  gave  forty  shillings.  John  Kerye  and  Richard  Flory, 
Churchwardens,  1632.  Alex.  Sandon  Serle  gave  al  the  balusters  not  of 
wealth  but  of  good  will  that  others.  .  .  ." 

The  sudden  break  in  the  inscription  is  the  result  of  the  1836 
destruction  of  part  of  the  gallery. 

The  best  gallery  left  in  Shropshire  is  that  at  the  west  end  of  the 
church  of  Moreton  Say  ;  it  is  gained  by  a  fine  oak  staircase.  The 
front  is  ornamented  with  small  column  and  scroll  and  leaf  work. 
The  floral  designs  painted  on  some  of  the  panels  appear  to  be  of 
later  date.     The  inscription,  in  capitals,  on  the  face  runs — 

"This  gallery  was  built  ano  domi  1634.  10  pownde  towards  the 
coste  of  it  was  given  by  the  Right  Worll  Mrs.  Jane  Grosivenor  of  Morton 
Say  and  all  ye  timber  was  given  by  the  Rt  Worll  Arthur  Sandford  of 
Sandford  Esquer." 

Another  handsome  example  of  a  west   gallery  occurs  at  the 


CHURCH    CHESTS  291 

Dorsetshire  church  of  Puddletown,  which  is  dated  1635.  There 
is  another  handsome  one  of  the  same  year  at  East  Brent, 
Somerset.  At  the  west  end  of  Newdegate  church,  Surrey,  is  a 
gallery,  inscribed  on  the  front,  "  this  Gallerie  was  builded  by 
Henry  Nicholson,  Gent,  anno  dom.  1627."  Other  surviving  17th- 
cent.  galleries  may  be  seen  in  the  Surrey  churches  of  Send, 
Walton-on-Thames,  and  Woking. 

Among  exceptionally  good\  galleries,  whose  comparative  recent 
loss  we  have  to  deplore,  may  ois  mentioned  the  one  at  Ightham, 
Kent,  erected  by  Sir  William  Selby  in  1619,  and  the  much  later 
but  elaborate  one  at  Upton  Magna,  Salop.,  dated  1666. 

The  usual  I7th-cent.  name  for  these  extra  church  fittings 
was  "  scaffold  "  rather  than  gallery.  Bishop  Montagu's  Articles  of 
Enquiry  for  Norwich  diocese,  1638,  includes  the  following  : — 

"  Is  your  church  scaffolded  everywhere  or  in  part  ?  Do  those  scaffolds 
so  made  annoy  any  man's  seat,  or  hinder  the  lights  of  any  windows  in  the 
church?" 

Now  and  again  restoring  architects  have  been  kind  enough  to 
leave  an  instance  or  two  of  handsome  i8th-cent.  galleries,  as 
at  Shere,  Surrey,  and  Selworthy,  Somerset. 


CHURCH   CHESTS  ^ 

Large  chests  or  coffers,  of  great  strength,  having  the  front  formed 
of  a  single  panel,  were  in  common  and  frequent  domestic  and  civil 
use  throughout  the  middle  ages  ;  and  naturally  they  found  their 
way  into  churches,  for  the  safe-keeping  of  vestments,  ornaments, 
documents,  and  other  valuables. 

But  the  oldest  and  simplest  form  of  chest  had  no  panels,  for  it 
was  formed  out  of  the  solid  timber.  It  is  usual  to  give  to  such 
chests  the  name  of  Dug-out  ;  the  like  term,  after  the  same  fashion, 
is  used  for  early  canoes.  If  a  scientific-sounding  term  be  preferred 
the  name  Monoxylon,  as  suggested  by  Colonel  Hart,  can  be  used. 
These   dug-out  chests  are  still  to  be  found  in  a  few  churches  in 

*  In  the  following  account  of  church  chests,  we  are  indebted  to  ( i )  Ancient  Coffers 
and  Cupboards^  a  fine  and  beautifully  illustrated  volume  published  in  1902  ;  and  to  (2) 
Old  Chests^  an  excellent  paper  contributed  in  1894,  to  the  Archaeological  section  of 
the  Birmingham  Midland  Institute  by  Colonel  Charles  J.  Hart. 


292        ENGLISH   CHURCH    FURNITURE 

almost  every  English  county,  such  as  those  of  Eckington,  Worcs. ; 
Orleton,  Herefords. ;  Tettenhall,  Staffs.  ;  Wimborne,  Dorset;  Little 
Waldingfield,  Suffolk;  Dunster,  Somerset ;  and  St.  Martin's  and  St. 
Margaret's,  Leicester.  They  are  more  numerous  in  Warwickshire 
than  in  any  other  county ;  the  best  and  largest  examples  are  at 
Bickenhill  and  Curdworth.  The  question  of  the  date  of  these  dug- 
out chests  usually  presents  much  difficulty  ;  the  shape  is  of  no  help, 
nor,  as  a  rule,  is  either  the  cutting  or  the  plain  rude  ironwork  any 
guide.  Occasionally  the  ironwork  points  to  a  I4th-cent.  or  even 
I5th-cent.  date  ;  but,  generally  speaking,  it  is  safe  to  assume  earlier 
periods  than  these  for  dug-outs.  Competent  authorities  are  convinced 
that  in  many  instances  dug-outs  are  of  Norman  workmanship  and 
I2th-cent.  date,  as  in  the  case  of  Marston  Trussell,  Northants. 
Further,  it  is  possible  that  in  a  few  cases  these  dug-outs  may  be  of 
pre-Norman  date,  as  in  the  case  of  West  Grinstead,  Surrey. 

So  soon  as  the  primitive  form  hewed  from  the  solid  is  passed  by, 
a  considerable  variety  of  chests  of  varying  construction,  design,  or 
ornament  are  found  in  the  churches.  The  commoner  form  is  that 
in  which  heavy  slabs  of  oak  are  strongly  clamped  and  bound  with 
iron.  This  style  of  chest  is  of  two  divisions :  first,  where  the  iron 
is  applied  solely  with  the  idea  of  strength ;  and  secondly,  where 
the  iron,  or  parts  of  it,  assumes  an  ornamental  shape,  such  as  a 
simple  fleur-de-lis  termination  (as  at  Rowington,  Warwicks.),  or 
occasionally  a  far  more  elaborate  scroll  treatment.  The  greater 
portion  of  these  heavy  iron-clamped  chests  are  of  the  14th  cent, 
though  there  is  occasional  evidence  of  their  belonging  to  the.  next 
century. 

In  some  instances,  as  in  the  remarkable  example  at  Cheshunt, 
Herts,  these  iron-bound  chests  have  coved  tops  ;  these  may  be 
14th  or  15th  cent. 

One  of  the  best-known  and  earliest  examples  of  ornamental 
iron  scrollwork  is  at  Church  Brampton,  Northants  ;  it  has  been 
illustrated  in  Parker's  Glossary  and  elsewhere.  Violet  le  Due  con- 
sidered that  its  date  was  late  12th  cent,  but  it  is  much  safer  to 
say  early  13th  cent.  Another  example  of  most  beautiful  iron 
scroll-work  of  somewhat  later  date  occurs  at  Icklington, 
Suffolk. 

In  the  vestry  of  Rugby  church  is  a  chest  of  the  middle  of  the 
13th  cent,  of  unusual  interest.  The  centre  panel  is  handsomely 
ornamented  with  scroll  ironwork,  but  the  wide  stiles  are  left  plain. 


CHURCH    CHESTS 


293 


It  is  raised  a  little  from  the  floor  by  four  wheels  or  discs  of  wood, 
and  there  are  also  carrying  chains  at  the  ends,  with  rings  for  the 
passing  through  of  a  pole. 

Another  Warwickshire  chest,  with  handsome  ironwork,  to  be 
seen  in  Wooton  Wawen  church,  is  also  of  I3th-cent.  date  ;  it  stands 
on  feet  formed  by  the  prolongation  of  the  stiles  ;  and  there  are 
others  at  Tanvvorth  and  Rowington  of  the  same  century,  with 
iron  adornments,  in  the  same  county. 

At  the  east  end  of  the  south  aisle  of  Long  Sutton  church,  Hants, 
built  c.  1250,  is  a  large  chest  6  feet  5  inches  by  2  feet  6  inches 
wide,  and  standing  on  its  feet  2  feet  10  inches  high.  The  lid  and 
hinges  are  modern  ;  but  the  moulding  of  the  feet,  which  are 
formed  from  the  prolonging  of  the  side  pieces  that  flank  the  great 
central  panel,  make  it  certain  that  this  is  a  I3th-cent.  chest, 
originally  constructed  for  the  vestments,  books,  and  other  valuables 
of  the  side  chapel. 


RUGBY,    VVARWICKS 


The  third  kind  of  chest,  of  which  so  many  examples  are  to  be 
found  in  our  churches,  are  those  that  are  panelled  and  carved, 
without  any  special  ironwork  features,  save  occasionally  in  elabo- 
rate locks  or  key-plates.  These,  for  the  most  part,  are  of  14th 
and  I5th-cent.  dates  ;  but  a  few  remain  of  the  13th  cent,  and  there 
are  many  instances  of  Elizabethan,  Jacobean,  and  later  dates. 

With  regard  to  those  of  the  13th  cent.,  they  are  characterized 
by  having  the  front  formed  of  a  great  solid  slab  of  wood,  or,  in  a 
few  instances,  of  two  pieces  placed  longitudinally.  This  slab  was 
flanked  by  the  two  front  uprights  or  stiles,  often  of  considerable 
width. 

There  are  several  chests  at  Westminster  Abbey  of  early 
I3th-cent.  date,  of  a  plain  character  and  lacking  any  ornamental 
ironwork ;  two  of  them  are  of  great  size,  being  14  feet  in 
length. 


294        ENGLISH    CHURCH   FURNITURE 

Roundels,  variously  carved  with  geometrical  designs,  after  the 
fashion  of  modern  chip-carving,  were  a  favourite  ornament.  Good 
instances  of  this  occur  at  Stoke  D'Abernon,  Surrey ;  Climping 
and  Arundel,  Sussex ;  St.  John's,  Glastonbury  ;  and  Chichester 
cathedral.  In  the  last  case,  the  front  only  of  the  chest  remains. 
When  drawn  in  1903  for  this  work,  this  most  interesting  piece  of 
woodwork,  with  unique  and  delicate  treatment  of  the  feet,  was 
amongst  rubbish  in  the  triforium  over  the  south  aisle  of  the 
nave. 

There  is  a  good  example  of  plain  arcading  work  on  the  front  of 
the  I3th-cent.  chest  of  Graveney,  Kent,  both  on  the  central  panel 
and   the   stiles.      The   four   stiles   or   uprights   of   chests   of  this 


CHICHESTER   CATHEDRAL 


date,  whether  plain  or  carved,  are  usually  prolonged  below 
the  chest  itself,  to  raise  it  from  the  damp,  by  forming  feet. 
Generally  these  feet  have  a  characteristic  roll  moulding  on  the 
inner  side. 

Hampshire  possesses  a  remarkable  small  example  of  this  kind 
of  chest.  Under  the  tower  of  Heckfield  church  is  a  diminutive 
chest  of  most  exceptional  interest.  It  is  just  3  feet  long  by 
17J  inches  wide,  and  standing  20  inches  in  height.  The  stiles  or 
side  pieces  of  the  front  terminate  in  feet  to  keep  it  clear  of  the 
ground,  and  are  slightly  moulded.  Within  the  chest  at  one 
end  is  a  very  small  inner  shelf  or  tray-box,  with  lid  turning  on 
wooden  pivots,  and  in  every  way  it  corresponds  to  the  few 
known  examples  of  early  I3th-cent.  larger  church  chests.  The 
arrangement  for  the  fitting  of  the  lid  and  for  its  hinges  is  most 


CHURCH    CHESTS 


295 


HECKFIELD,    HANTS 


ingenious.     About  the   centre  of   the   lid   is  a  small  money  slot. 
There  is  no  doubt  that  this  chest  is  of  early  I3th-cent.  date,  and 
that  the  slot  is  original.*     In  the  opinion  of  several  experts,  it  is 
quite  possible  that  it  is  suffi- 
ciently early  to  belong  to  the 
period  in  the  reign  of  King 
John  when  Innocent  III.,  con- 
firming   a    similar    mandate 
given  by  Henry  II.  in  1166, 
ordered  boxes  or  chests  to  be 
placed  in  the  parish  churches 
of  England,  wherein  the  faith- 
ful were  expected  to  deposit 
money  for  the  prosecution  of 
the  fifth  Crusade. 

It  is  continually  asserted 
that  the  slots  in  early  church  chests  were  for  Peter's  Pence.  But 
no  one  who  had  studied  the  question  of  this  ecclesiastical  due 
would  ever  make  so  palpable  a  mistake.  The  collectors  of  this 
Roman  due  were  specially  appointed  officials,  who  gathered  the 
money  from  the  different  deaneries  after  a  regular  fashion  and  on 
a  certain  fixed  date  ;  the  impost  would  never  have  been  committed 
to  the  comparative  insecurity  of  a  parish  chest,  or  at  all  events 
dropped  into  it  coin  by  coin.  These  pre-Reformation  money  slots 
were  either  for  contributions  to  some  general  parochial  fund  or 
particular  stock  ;  or,  in  cases  where  the  chest  belonged  to  a  gild, 
for  the  monthly,  quarterly,  or  occasional  payment  from  each 
member  of  the  fraternity. 

Moreover,  it  must  be  remembered  that  several  of  these  slots 
have  been  pierced  in  old  chests  long  after  the  date  of  their  con- 
struction. Possibly  in  such  cases  it  was  a  cheap  way  of  complying 
with  the  general  orders  of  the  i6th  cent,  for  the  providing  of  a 
Poor  Man's  Box. 

One  of  the  special  features  of  the  construction  of  many  of 
the  I3th-cent.  chests  is  the  absence  of  lid  hinges.  Their  place 
was  taken  by  pivots  inserted  horizontally  through  the  back 
uprights  or  stiles.     These  uprights   were   rounded   at   the   top  to 


♦ '  Dr.  Cox  was  the  first  to  note  the  early  date  of  this  chest,  and  to  discover  the 
choked-up  money  slot,  when  visiting  the  church  in  June,  1903. 


296        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

give  play  to  the  lid,  and  the  semicircular  tops  were  fitted  into 
hollows  of  like  shape  formed  from  wooden  clamps,  which  were 
securely  fastened  on  the  under  side  of  the  lid  at  each  end.  The 
absence  of  true  hinges  rendered  the  back  part  of  the  chest,  however 
firmly  locked  in  front,  peculiarly  vulnerable  to  leverage  instruments. 
To  guard  against  this,  these  I3th-cent.  chests  were  not  infrequently 
strengthened  by  small  chains  fastened  to  staples  driven  through 
the  back,  and  attached  to  iron  bands  that  crossed  the  lids.  Such 
chains  may  be  noticed,  inter  alia,  on  chests  at  Shere,  CI  imping, 
and  Westminster. 

Essex  possesses  a  particularly  fine  example  of  a  church  chest, 
enriched  by  painting.  This  grand  I3th-cent.  chest,  in  the  church 
of  Newport,  is  of  oak  strengthened  with  narrow  iron  bands.  The 
front  is  carved  above  with  a  row  of  small  (now  uncharged)  shields, 
and  below  with  a  row  of  plain  circles  ;  whilst  between  them  is  a 
band  of  open  tracery  cast  in  lead,  and  fitted  into  lozenge-shaped 
compartments  sunk  to  receive  it.  The  inside  of  the  lid  is  decorated 
with  oil  paintings  within  trefoil-headed  niches,  wherein  are  figures 
of  the  Crucifixion,  the  Blessed  Virgin,  St.  John,  St.  Peter,  and 
St.  Paul.  The  predominating  colours  are  red  and  green.  Mr.  Roe 
says — 

"  The  painting  on  the  Newport  coffer  proves  conclusively  that  oil  was 
used  as  a  vehicle  in  England  at  this  early  period.  It  may  be  regarded  as 
the  earliest  national  specimen  of  that  art  remaining." 

In  Wilne  church,  Derbs.,  there  is  a  fine  chest,  with  a  row  of 
chip-carved  roundels  at  the  top  of  the  central  panel,  and  with 
narrow  pointed  arcading  below.  Mr.  Roe  considers  it  to  be  early 
14th  cent. ;  but  after  repeated  examination,  we  are  convinced  that  it 
is  quite  early  in  the  reign  of  Edward  I.  This  chest  has  been  badly 
treated  ;  the  uprights  and  lid  are  of  later  date. 

When  we  come  to  the  14th  cent.,  elaborately  carved  fronts 
frequently  occur.  Most  of  the  finest  examples  are  of  Flemish 
work.  In  wills  of  this  and  the  next  century,  a  "  Flaunder's  Kiste  " 
is  frequently  bequeathed.  It  is  quite  possible,  however,  that  a 
good  deal  of  such  work  was  done  in  England  by  English  artificers 
after  Flemish  designs,  and  hence  retained  the  name.  With  regard 
to  Flemish  chests,  we  cannot  do  better  than  cite  the  words  of 
Colonel  Hart — 

"  The  general  design  of  this  group  of  chests  is  the  same,  the  two  end 
pieces  of    the  front  divided  into  horizontal  panels  filled  with  carvings, 


CHURCH    CHESTS  297 

dragons,  and  grotesque  figures,  and  the  central  portion  treated  in  quite 
a  distinct  manner.  In  the  Alnwick  example  there  are  three  rows  of 
carvings,  the  top  one  having  two  hunting  scenes,  and  the  other  two 
winged  dragons  and  foliage.  The  Flemish  chests  of  St.  Peter's  church, 
Derby,  at  Brancepeth  church,  and  at  Wath  near  Ripon  are  almost 
identical.  They  are  about  6  feet  4  inches  long  and  2  feet  5  inches  in 
height ;  only  the  fronts  are  carved,  the  tops  and  ends  having  plain  panels. 
The  end  pieces  of  the  fronts  are  divided  into  three  panels,  and  at  Wath 
into  two  only;  the  panels  are  filled  with  beasts,  the  tails  running  into 
foliated  branches.  The  central  compartment  is  filled  with  arcaded  work, 
having  acutely  pointed  gablets  traceried  and  crocketed.  .  .  .  Below  the 
main  gablets  are  two-light  window-like  openings,  having  the  peculiar 
lanky  muUions  and  tracery  that  are  so  essentially  characteristic  of  the 
Flemish  and  German  Gothic  of  the  13th,  14th,  and  15th  cents." 

The  chests  of  Chevington,  Suffolk,  the  small  one  at  Hacconby, 
Lines.,  and  the  good  example  at  Kirk  Lentham,  Yorks.,  almost 
exactly  coincide  with  the  description  of  the  three  given  in  the 
previous  paragraph. 

The  I4th-cent.  example  at  Dersingham,  Norfolk,  is  valuable, 
and  unique  of  its  kind.  It  is  carved  on  the  front  with  the  emblems 
of  the  four  Evangelists  with  their  names  on  labels,  and  there  is 
much  tracery  and  other  patterns.  Round  the  border  of  the  lid 
used  to  run  an  inscription  in  Lombardic  capitals — Jesus  Nazarenus 
Crucifixsus  Rex  Jiideorum  ;  but  half  of  the  lid  is  now  missing. 

A  singularly  good  example  of  a  i5th-cent.  chest  occurs  at 
Brailes,  Warwicks.  There  is  a  distinct  trace  about  it  of  the 
Flemish  chests  of  the  previous  century,  but  the  elaborate  foliated 
tracery  and  the  Tudor  roses  leave  no  doubt  that  it  is  **  Per- 
pendicular." In  the  lower  line  of  ornament  is  a  double-headed 
eagle  and  a  dragon,  which  were  possibly  the  badges  of  the  donor. 

Mr.  Roe,  in  his  admirable  volume,  gives  a  chapter  to  "  Tilting 
Coffers" — that  is,  to  those  chests  on  which  the  incidents  of  a 
military  tourney  are  cleverly  carved.  There  are  two  chests  now 
remaining  in  English  churches,  namely,  at  York  Minster,  and  at 
Harty,  Kent,  which  have  the  central  panel  vividly  carved  with 
incidents  of  knightly  prowess. 

They  are  very  similar  in  general  style,  though  the  former 
is  larger  and  more  elaborate.  They  both  appear  to  be  of  early 
I5th-cent.  date.  On  the  York  central  panel  there  are  traces 
of  the  original  vermilion  and  gilding.  The  figures  give  vivid 
representations   of  St.  George  and   the   dragon  and  the  Princess 


298        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


Cleodolinda.  Mr.  Roe  considers  them  both  to  be  of  English 
workmanship,  and  the  date  of  the  latter  "between  1400  and 
Agincourt." 


CHURCH    CHESTS  299 

The  fine  chest  of  Southwold  church  has  a  long  carved  front  with 
beautiful  flamboyant  tracery,  whilst  under  the  lock-plate  is  a  small 
compartment  on  which  is  represented  St.  George  slaying  the 
dragon.  It  is  of  later  i5th-cent.  date  than  those  just  named  ; 
it  is  usually  termed  a  "  Flander's  Chest,'*  but  is  more  likely  to  be 
of  English  workmanship. 

It  is  quite  the  exception  to  find  any  pre-Reformation  church 
chests  on  which  there  are  dates,  initials,  or  any  form  of  inscrip- 
tion ;  but  there  are  two  old  chests  in  East  Anglia  which  bear 
particularly  interesting  inscriptions.  They  are  both  of  the  second 
half  of  the  15th  cent.  In  the  old  vestry  on  the  north  side  of 
the  chancel  of  Cratfield  church,  Suffolk,  is  a  remarkably  well-made 
chest  of  unusual  height,  on  the  front  of  which  is  painted  the 
following  distich : — 

"  Ralph  Walsche  gaf  thys  cheist 
Praye  for  hys  sowle  to  Jhu  Creiste." 

In  Blickling  church,  Norfolk,  there  is  an  old  chest  with  five 
locks  bearing  the  following  English  inscription  :  "  Mastyr  Adam 
Ilee  mad  ye  Chyst  and  Robert  Filipis  payed  yerfor  God  havee 
marcy  on  yar  Soules." 

It  is  not  a  little  remarkable  to  note  that  church  chests  showing 
I5th-cent.  tracery  are  very  rarely  met  with  ;  some  of  those  with  the 
linen-fold  patterns  are  probably  of  that  period.  Several,  however, 
have  found  their  way  into  private  collections. 

Chest  cupboards,  opening  in  front  instead  of  by  a  lid,  came  in 
during  the  15th  cent. ;  they  will  be  separately  considered. 

When  our  English  churches  were  being  stripped  wholesale  of 
their  valuable  ornaments  and  vestments,  in  the  time  of  Edward  VI , 
many  of  the  church  chests  lost  their  use,  and  there  are  instances  of 
their  sale  being  recorded.  In  the  majority  of  cases  it  would  only 
be  the  least  attractive  and  cheapest  kind  of  chest  that  would  be 
retained  for  parish  registers  and  documents.  The  evidence  from 
inventories  and  other  records  as  to  the  ordinary  parish  church  of 
old  days  possessing  two  or  three  chests  or  coffers  (under  a  variety 
of  names,  such  as  "  ark,"  "  counter,"  or  "  hutch  ")  is  overwhelming. 
As  a  rule  there  was  a  chest  for  every  chantry.  They  were  par- 
ticularly numerous  in  the  larger  churches.  An  inventory  of  the 
collegiate  church  of  St.  Mary,  Warwick,  of  the  year  1464, 
mentions — 


300        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

'^  It.  in  the  lowe  house  under  the  vestry  ij  old  irebound  coofres. 

"  It.  in  the  vestrye  j  gret  olde  arke  to  put  in  vestyments. 

"  It.  in  the  Sextry  above  the  Vestrye  i  olde  arke  at  the  auters  ende, 
j  old  coofre  irebonde  having  a  long  lok  of  the  olde  facion,  and  i  lasse 
new  coofre  having  iij  loks  called  the  tresory  cofre,  and  certeyn  almaries. 

"  It.  in  the  inner  hous  there  j  nyewe  hie  almarie  with  ij  dores  to  kepe 
in  the  evidence  of  the  Chirche,  and  j  gret  olde  arke  and  certeyn  olde 
Almaries. 

"  It.  in  the  house  afore  the  Chapter  hous  j  old  irebounde  cofre  having 
hie  feet  and  rings  of  iron  in  the  endes  thereof  to  heve  it  bye.  And  therein 
liuth  certein  bokes  belonging  to  the  Chapter." 

The  synod  of  Exeter,  1287,  insisted  that  every  parish  should 
provide  cistam  ad  libros  et  vestimenta.  In  the  1297  visitation  of 
churches  in  the  peculiar  of  St.  Paul's,  chests  are  frequently  men- 
tioned in  the  inventories  of  church  goods.  At  Barking  there  was 
a  cista  repositoria  cum  serura,  as  well  2,^  j  cofru  sine  serura. 

Occasionally  chests  are  found  of  a  large  size  so  thickly  covered 
with  iron  plates  or  bands  that  hardly  any  of  the  oak  foundation  is 
apparent.  Such  examples,  as,  for  instance,  those  of  Stonham  Aspall, 
Suffolk,  and  Ravensthorpe,  Northants,  are  probably  of  late  15th  or 
early  i6th-cent.  date. 

Into  the  question  of  Elizabethan,  Jacobean,  Carolean,  Common- 
wealth, or  later  church  chests  we  do  not  propose  to  enter.  They 
are  usually  plainly  panelled,  and  are  fairly  numerous.  Such  chests 
are  often  dated.  As  examples  may  be  mentioned.  Combs,  Suffolk, 
1599;  Chelmorton,  Derbs.,  1630;  Flintham,  Notts.,  1633;  Burling- 
ham  St.  Andrew,  Norfolk,  1664;  Wem,  Salop.,  1686;  and 
Fillongley,  Warwicks.,  1729. 

The  vast  majority  of  English  church  chests  were  made  of 
oak.  The  chests  at  Eckington,  Worcs.,  at  Minster,  Kent,  and  at 
Cleeve  Prior,  Surrey,  are  of  elm.  Of  cypress  there  is  certainly  one 
example,  namely,  at  Cheveley,  Cambs.  Cypress  was  often  used  for 
domestic  chests,  because  the  scent  of  the  wood  kept  away  moths  ; 
they  were  costly,  as  the  wood  came  from  abroad.  Parker,  in  his 
Glossary,  supposes  that  cypress  was  equivalent  to  cedar,  but  this  is 
an  error.  There  are  various  cedar  chests  of  I7th-cent.  date  in 
England,  made  after  cedars  had  grown  large  in  our  own  country. 
They  are  usually  ornamented  with  "  poker-work  ; "  two  or  three 
have  found  their  way  into  churches  in  comparatively  modern  days. 

The  following  is  an  alphabetical  list  of  old  parish  chests.     It  is 


CHURCH   CHESTS  301 

the  first  that  has  been  attempted,  and  lays  no  claim  whatever  to  be 
exhaustive. 

Aldenham,  Herts.     Great  chest,  9  feet  8  inches  long,  clamped  all  over 

with  iron ;  twelve  massive  hinges. 
Alnwick,   Northumberland.     Flemish;    14th   cent.;    7   feet   long.     (Illus. 

Roe.) 
Anstey,  Herts.     Iron-bound;  late  15th  or  early  i6th  cent. 
Arundel,  Sussex.     13th  cent. ;  roundels. 
Ashbocking,    Suffolk.     Massive,  iron-bound,   four   locks;   probably    13th 

cent. 
Ashbury,  Berks.     Plain,  massive ;  early. 

Ashfield  Magna,  Suffolk.     "  Fine  old  chest,  strapped  with  iron." 
Attleborough,  Norfolk.     Plain,  iron-bound  ;  1 6th  cent.     (Illus.  Roe.) 
Barley,  Herts.     Two  plain  chests;  probably  i6th  cent. 
Barrow-on-Soar,  Leics.     Traceried  panels ;  15th  cent. 
Barton  Mills,  Suffolk.     "  Old,  iron-bound." 
Beeston,  Norfolk.     Linen-fold  panels. 
Bentworth,  Hants.     Good  Jacobean. 
Bickenhill,   Warwicks.       Dug-out;   8   feet  long;   two   divisions;   heavily 

banded  with  iron  ;  hinges  of  Norman  shape  ;  end  of  12th  cent. 
Binsted,  Hants.     Jacobean ;  three  locks. 
Bishop  Stortford,  Herts.     Iron. 
Bitterley,  Salop.     Iron-bound  ;   14th  cent. 

Bletchworth,  Surrey.     Dug-out ;  iron-bound  ;  7  feet  3  inches  long. 
Blewbury,  Berks,     (a)  Plain;  13th  cent,     {b)  14th  cent. ;  good  iron  straps 

and  locks. 
Blickling,  Norfolk.     Inscription.     See  previous  account. 
Bradford  Abbas,  Leics.     Dug-out. 

Brailes,  Warwicks.     See  previous  description  and  illustration. 
Brancepeth,  Durham.     Flemish;  14th  cent. 
Broughton-in-Preston,  Lanes.     "Rough  hatchet-hewn  chest,  with  old  iron 

mouldings."     (Illus.  Roe.) 
Broxbourne,  Herts.     "  Two  old  oak  chests  "  in  priests'  room  over  north 

chapel. 
Buckminster,  Leics.     Early;  coved  lid;  curious  ironwork. 
Burlingham  St.  Andrew,  Norfolk.     Chest,  dated  1664. 
Buxted,  Sussex.     Third  quarter   13th  cent.     (Illus.  Journal  Brit.   Arch. 

Assoc,  J  1857.) 
Castor,  Northants.     Dug-out. 
Chelmorton,    Derbs.      Chest    inscribed— i?^^/^    Buxton  of  Flagg  gave 

this  1630. 
Cheswardine,  Salop.     Panelled;  c.  1600. 
Cheveley,  Cambs.     Cypress  chest ;  14th  cent. 
Chevington,  Suffolk.     Flemish;   14th  cent. 


302        ENGLISH    CHURCH   FURNITURE 

Cheshimt,  Herts.  Strong  iron-bound  chest,  with  tastefully  wrought-iron  feet ; 
triangular  iron  handles ;  iron  links  at  ends  for  carrying  by  an  inserted 
pole  j  has  been  lined  with  lead ;  money  slot.     The  triangular  handles 


CHESHUNT,    HERTS 


and  the  links  at  the  end  exactly  resemble  the  chest  in  Chapel  of  the 

Pyx,  temp.  Edward  III. 
Chichester   cathedral,     {a)  Large   chest;   8  feet  6  inches  long;   banded 

with  iron;  Norman;   locks  later,     {b)  Beautiful  front  of   i3th-cent. 

chest.     See  previous  description  and  illustration. 
Chobham,  Surrey.     Good   plain  13th  cent.;  two  iron   bands,  ending  in 

fleur-de-lis.     (lUus.  Roe.) 
Church   Brampton,    Northants.      Beautiful   iron   scrollwork;    13th    cent. 

(lUus.  Parker's  Glossary.) 
Church  Broughton,  Derbs.     Large;  17th  cent. 
Churchill^  Leics.     Dug-out. 
Cleeve  Prior,  Worcs.     Dug-out ;  elm. 
Clifton^  Notts.     Coved  top;  iron  bound ;  c.  1500. 
CUmpingj  Sussex.     Fine  i3th-cent.  chest;  roundels  on  the  stiles;  pointed 

arcade  work  centre  panel;  poor  condition  ;  money  slot.     (Illus.  Roe.) 
Clungunford,  Salop.     Carved  chest ;  1 6th  cent. 
Colchester,  St.  Martin's.     Two  Jacobean  chests. 
Coleshill,  Warwicks.     "  Fine  old  chest." 
Combs^    Suffolk.      Panelled;    dated    1599.      (Illus.    Jour.    Brit.    Arch. 

Assoc.  J  1872). 
Coton,  Cambs.     Early,  long  and  narrow;  13th  cent. 
Cound,  Salop.     Late  i3th-cent. ;   slightly  coped  lid;   carrying  rings  and 

chains  at  ends.     (Fully  illustrated  Reliquary •>  N.  S.;  ix.  No.  2.) 
Coventry,  St.   Michael,     a.d.   1500;   front  covered  with  carving.     (Illus. 

Hart.) 
Little  Coxwell,  Berks. 

Cratfield,  Suffolk.     See  previous  description. 
Crayke,  N.  R.  Yorks.     Two  dug-outs. 
Crondall,  Hants.     Iron-bound  small  chest;  probably  14th  cent. 


CHURCH    CHESTS  303 

Curd  worth,  Warwicks.     Dug-out,  lo  feet  long;  iron  banded  ;  two  compart- 
ments. 
Datch worth,    Herts.     "  Fme   oak  chest  of  unusual  shape  and  size  .  .  . 

until  lately  painted  white." 
Denton,  Norfolk.     Made  out  of  old  painted  panels  of  rood  screen. 
Derby,  St.  Peter's.     Fine  i4th-cent.  Flemish  chest.     (lUus.  Roe.) 
East  Dereham.     Flemish  chest  of  much  beauty;    i6th  cent.;   obviously 

not  intended  for  a  church;  has  only  been  in  the  church  for  about 

a  century. 
Dersingham,  Norfolk.     See  previous  description.     (Illus.  Cotman's  Archit. 

liemains.) 
Didcot,  Berks.     "  An  old  wooden  chest." 

Dunmow,  Essex.    End  of  1 6th  cent. ;  beautiful  inlaid  panels.    {Sketch-book,) 
Eckington,  Worcs.     A  small  dug-out  of  elm ;  in  bad  condition ;  probably 

13th  cent. 
Evesham    St.    Laurence.      Early    i6th-cent.    chest;     good    example    of 

dovetailing. 
Faversham,    Kent.     Beautiful   front   of  architectural  work;   second  #half 

14th  cent. 
Felton,  Norfolk.     Carved  and  partly  inlaid ;  initials  I.  T.  F. ;  late  i6th  cent. 
Fillongley,  Warwicks.     A  heavy  iron-bound  chest.     On  the  front  a  coat  of 

arms  painted,  and   inscription — The  gift  of    Will'''   Avery    Gent,   of 

Blackall^  Fillongley^  1729. 
Fincham,  Norfolk.     Three  locks,  heavy  lid,  iron  bound. 
Fishlake,  W.  R.  Yorks.     Chest  of  14th  cent. 
Flintham,  Notts.     Dated  1633. 
Fownhope,  Herefords.     Large  dug-out,  8  feet  long. 
Frettenham,  Norfolk.     Front  and  ends  arcaded. 
Furneaux  Pelham,  Herts.     Iron-bound  chest ;  staples  at  sides  for  inserting 

lifting  poles. 
Gilling,  N.  R.  Yorks.     Early  i6th  cent. ;  well  carved. 
Gimingham,  Norfolk.     An  old  iron-bound  chest. 
Glastonbury,  St.  John's,  Somerset.     Fine  13th  cent.,  but  lacking  lid  ;  stiles 

and  centre  panel  carved  with  roundels  and  squares,  with  stars  and 

dog-tooth  in  relief,  and  with  vesica-shaped  quatrefoils  ;  three  lock-plates. 
Grappenhall,  Lanes.     Dug-out ;  5  feet  8  inches  long ;  now  in  Warrington 

Museum 
Graveney,    Kent.       13th   cent.;    arcading   on    central   panel   and   stiles 

(Illus.  Roe.) 
Greens  Norton,  Northants.     Massive,  heavily  plated  with  iron,  three  locks. 
West  Grinstead,  Surrey.      Interesting  dug-out;   hollowed  in   the  centre, 

leaving  a  solid  mass  at  each  end ;  very  early. 
Guestling,    Sussex.      Early    14th   cent. ;    front  and  ends  richly  panelled. 

(Illus.  Parker's  Glossary)     It  has  now,  alas  !  "  disappeared." 


304        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Hacconby,  Lines.     14th  cent. ;  small ;  3  feet  8  inches  long.     (lUus.  Roe.) 
West  Haddon,  Northants.     Dug-out ;  8  feet  long ;  moved  to  Northampton 

Museum  in  1888. 
Haddon  Hall  chapel,  Derbs.     Large  15th  cent.  ;   heraldic,  two  shields, 

(a)  Vernon,    (b)  Pembrugge,  Vernon,  and  Pype   quartered.     (Illus. 

Le  Blanc  Smith's  Haddon  Hall.) 
Halesowen,  Salop.     Dug-out. 

Hard  wick,  Bucks.     Two  old  chests,  one  14th  and  one  i6th  cent. 
West  Harling,  Norfolk.     "  Very  old,  graceful  in  shape  and  well  finished." 
Harty,  Kent.     Early  15th  cent.     (Illus.  Roe.) 
Hatfield,  Herts.      Dug-out ;   money  slit ;   nail-studded   and   banded  with 

iron;  early  13th  cent. 
Heckfield,  Hants.     13th  cent.     See  previous  description  and  illustration. 
Hempstead,  Norfolk.     Linen-fold  panels. 
West  Hendred,  Berks.     Plain,  but  probably  14th  cent. 
Hereford,  All  Saints.     Early  14th  cent.  ]  good  tracery. 
Hoo,  Kent.     Dug-out. 

Horning,  Norfolk.     Dug-out;  ironwork;  first  half  13th  cent. 
Huddington,   Worcs.      Ends  late   14th;  carved   with   large   sexfoils   and 

smaller  quatrefoils ;  front,  linen-fold  pattern,  remarkably  early  for  this 

design  :  query,  is  front  later  ? 
Huttoft,  Lines.     Middle  of  14th  cent. ;  richly  panelled  on  all  four  sides. 

(Illus.  Parker's  Glossary.) 
Icklingham,  Suffolk.     Beautiful  i3th-cent.  chest;  5  feet  10  inches  long  by 

2  feet  broad  and  2  feet  high;  seven  hinges,  two  handles  back  and 

front   and   one  each  end,  and  three  strap-locks;  it  is  covered  with 

beautiful  scroll-work  of  hammered  iron. 
Kingston,  Somerset.     Good  Jacobean  chest. 

Kirk  Leatham,  Yorks.     Fine  Flemish  chest ;  like  the  one  at  Wath. 
Knowle,  Warwicks.     Two  dug-outs. 
Landbeach,  Cambs.     Large,  iron  clamped. 
Lapworth,  Warwicks.     Dug-out. 
Layer  Marney,  Essex.     Iron-bound  coffer.     John  Lord  Marney,  by  will, 

1524,  left   to   the  church   then   rebuilding,  much  plate,  and  for  its 

custody  a  strong  coffer  with  two  locks. 
Lichfield,  St.   Mary.      Two  Elizabethan  chests,  one   of  them   beautifully 

carved  and  inlaid. 
Litcham,  Norfolk.     Carved;  14th  cent. 

Littleport,  Cambs.     Massive,  very  heavily  clamped;  dated  1672. 
Locking,  Somerset.     i3th-cent.  chest,  with  some  original  ironwork. 
South  Lopham,  Norfolk.     A  large  dug-out ;  8  feet  long. 
Louth,  Lines.     See  previous  description. 
Lubenham,  Leics.     A  fine  example  of  a  Flemish  chest. 
Ludham,  Norfolk.     Old  chest,  with  coved  half-trunk  lid  ;  14th  cent. 


CHURCH    CHESTS  305 

Marston  Trussell,  Northants.     Dug-out. 

Martham,  Norfolk.     Coved  lid,  iron  clamps;  probably  14th  cent. 

Mathon,  Herefords.  Massive  iron  hinges  and  straps,  each  ending  in 
fleur-de-lis. 

Maxtoke.     Dug-out. 

Minster,  Kent.  A  rough  chest  of  elm,  with  coved  lid  of  solid  oak  (half  a 
tree) ;  probably  Norman,  possibly  earUer. 

Monyash,  Derbs.  Beneath  the  tower  is  an  old  chest  of  exceptionally  large 
dimensions;  it  is  7  feet  2  inches  long,  21  inches  high,  and  19  inches 
wide.  It  is  continuously  encircled  with  iron  bands  throughout,  which 
are  about  i\  inches  apart.  The  chest  is  divided  into  two  unequal 
parts,  each  with  its  own  lid.  The  age  of  this  massive  receptacle  points 
to  it  having  been  probably  constructed  to  hold  the  vestments  and  altar 
plate  for  the  i4th-cent.  chantry. 

Morley,  Derbs.     Fine  old  chest ;  6  feet  6  inches  long. 

Mountnessing,  Essex.     Dug-out. 

Mugginton,  Derbs.     Three  hasps ;  probably  early. 

Munsley,  Herefords.     Dug-out. 

Newchurch,  Kent.     Fine  14th  cent. 

Newdigate,  Surrey.     Dug-out. 

Newport,  Essex.     Very  fine  i3th-cent.  chest;  inside  of  lid  painted. 

Northallerton,  N.  R.  Yorks.     "  Old,  iron  bound." 

Northampton,  St.  Sepulchre's.  Dome-topped  chest ;  i6th  cent. ;  three  locks 
and  clamps. 

Northchurch,  Herts.     Early  15th  cent. ;  elaborately  carved. 

Odiham,  Hants.     Large  chest;  dated  1662. 

Offchurch,  Warwicks.     Dug-out. 

Orleton,  Herefords.     Two  dug-outs;  13th  cent. 

Orston,  Notts.     Plain;  c.  1500. 

Oxford,  St.  Mary  Magdalene.  Flemish;  14th  cent;  known  as  the  "Jewel 
Chest." 

Pershore  Abbey,  Worcs.  A  fine  chest;  c.  1400;  massive  panelling  in 
small  squares ;  good  tracery  on  the  angle  posts. 

Peterborough  cathedral.     Late  13th  cent. ;  tracery. 

Polesworth,  Warwicks.     EUzabethan. 

Portslade-on-Sea,  Sussex.     "  Old  oak  chest." 

Rainham,  Kent.  Second  half  14th  cent;  good,  like  Faversham;  now 
mutilated.     (Illus.  Parker's  Glossary.) 

Ravensthorpe,  Northants.    c.  1500 ;  large,  massive,  heavily  bound  with  iron. 

Redenhall,  Norfolk.     Richly  carved;  inlaid  panels;  late  i6th  cent. 

Rowington,  Warwicks.     See  previous  description  and  illustration. 

Rugby.  Good  examples  of  middle  of  13th  cent;  ornamental  scroll  iron- 
work on  centre  panel ;  stiles  unusually  wide  and  plain ;  mounted  on 
wooden  wheels.     (lUus.  Hart) 


3o6        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Salle,  Norfolk.     Iron-bound  chest  in  vestry,  with  three  locks. 
Salton-in-Ryedale,  Yorks.     Large  chest  of  early  13th  cent.;  six  pieces  of 

ornamental  ironwork;  panelled  lid,  much  later,     {lllus.  Assoc.  Arch. 

Soc,  1880.) 
Saltwood,    Kent.     c.     1300;     beautiful    traceried    centre;     stiles    figure 

ornaments. 
Sawbridgeworth,  Herts.     Large,  7  feet  long ;  early,  but  much  altered. 
Sawley,  Derbs.     The  old  oak  chest  has  an  elaborate  lock  that  shoots  four 

bolts  at  once. 
Scarcliffe,  Derbs.     A  big  clumsy  chest  of  great  size,  10  feet  long  by  2  feet 

broad;  on  the  lid  F.  H.,  1671. 
Screveton,  Notts.     Chest,  6  feet  9  inches  long ;  2 1  iron  clamps  ;  probably 

14th  cent. 
Shanklin,  L  of  Wight.     Given  in  15 19  by  Prior  Silksted  of  Winchester. 
Shelford,  Notts.     i6th  cent. 

Shere,  Surrey.     Plain,  massive  ;  13th  cent. ;  7  feet  3  inches  long. 
Shustoke,  Warwicks.     Great  dug-out  chest,  9  feet  long ;  said  to  weigh  half 

a  ton. 
Sibthorpe,  Notts.     Small,  on  feet;  c.  1250. 
Great  Snoring,  Norfolk.     Chest;  1632. 
Southacre,  Norfolk.     Fine  14th  cent. 
Southwark,  St.  Saviour.     Very  fine  late  Elizabethan  chest,  of  great  beauty ; 

bears  device  and  initials  of  Hugh  Offley,  Sheriff  of  London ^  1588. 

(lUus.  Roe's  Old  Oak  Furniture.) 
South  wold,   Suffolk.      Fine    i5th-cent.   chest.      See   previous   description. 

(Illus.  Roe.) 
Spetchley,  Worcs.     Dug-out. 

Staindrop,  Durham.     Great  chest,  flat  bands  of  iron. 
Stafford,  St.  Chad.     Trefoil-headed  panels;   13th  cent.;  no  ironwork. 
Standon,  Herts.     Iron  band ;  six  handles. 

Long  Stanton  St.  Michael,  Cambs.      Good  13th  cent. ;  two  panels  in  front. 
Stoke  D'Abernon,  Surrey.     Early  13th  cent. ;  rude ;  three  roundels  in  front. 

(Illus.  Roe.)     See  previous  account. 
East  Stoke,  Notts.     i5th-cent.  chest,  under  tower. 
Stonham   Aspall,  Suffolk,      c.  1500;   large,  massive,  heavily  bound   with 

iron. 
Studley,  Warwicks.     Dug-out. 

Low  Sundon,  Beds.     i4th-cent.  chest;  "  interesting  specimen." 
Long  Sutton,  Hants.     13th  cent.     See  previous  description. 
Tanworth,  Warwicks.     Beautiful  i3th-cent.  example;  8  feet  3  inches  long; 

good  scrolled  ironwork,  three  coeval  locks.     (Illus.  Hart.) 
Terrington  St.  Clement,  Norfolk.     Early   i6th-cent.  panelled  chest,  with 

gabled  lid. 
Tilstock,  Salop.     Carved,  1686. 


WOOTTEN   WAWEN,    WAKWICKSHIKE 


BRAII.ES,    WARWICKSHIRE 


CHURCH   CHESTS 


CHURCH    CHESTS  307 

Tithby,  Notts.     Large  chest,  with  very  good  iron  work;  probably  early 

14th  cent. 
Upton  Snodsbury,  Worcs.     The  chest  is  dated  1681,  and  bears  the  names 

Aermel  Greene  Gent,  Jno  Cole  churchwarden. 
Walberswick,  Suffolk.     Remains  of  two  old  chests  in  the  parvise. 
Little  Waldingfield,  Suffolk,     (i)  Fine  late  14th  cent. ;  elaborately  carved  ; 

tracery  and  crocketed  canopies ;  one  of  the  stiles  and  foot  missing. 

(Illus.  Suff.  Arch,,  ix.) 

(2)  Solid;  semicircular  lid;  banded  with  iron;    early  13th  cent. 

(Illus.  Sidff.  Arch.,  ix.) 
North  Walsham,  Norfolk.     Large  i5th-cent.  chest,  entirely  covered  with 

iron  bands ;  ten  locks. 
Wath,  Yorks.     Flemish;  14th  cent. 

Watton,  Herts.     Parish  chest,  "  a  specimen  of  veritable  antiquity." 
Wem,  Salop.     Carved;  dated  1686. 
WilHngdon,  Sussex.     "  Old  oak  chest." 

Wilne,  Derbs.     Interesting  late  13th  cent.     See  previous  account. 
Wimborne,  Dorset.     Dug-out,  6  feet  long,  but  cavity  inside  only  22  inches 

long  by  9  inches  broad  and  6  inches  deep ;  goes  by  the  name  of  the 

"  Relic  Chest." 
Wootton  Wawen,  Warwicks.     Fine  chest  on  feet;  middle  or  second  half  of 

13th  cent. ;  handsome  scrolled  ironwork.     (Illus.  Bloxam.) 
Worth,  Sussex.     Early  i6th-cent.  panelled  chest,  with  gabled  lid. 
York  Minster.     Early  15th  cent.     See  previous  description,     (Illus.  Roe.) 


CHAPTER   IX 

ALMERIES   OR   CUPBOARDS-COPE   CHESTS— BANNER- 
STAVE   LOCKERS 

ALMERIES    OR     CUPBOARDS 

IN  addition  to  the  large  chests  or  coffers  used  for  the  safe 
keeping  of  vestments,  ornaments,  documents,  and  other 
valuables,  English  churches  were  not  infrequently  supplied 
with  more  convenient  receptacles.  The  chest-cupboard  was  a 
much  more  handy  form.  By  this  expression  we  mean  those  flat- 
topped,  chest-like  cases  that  open  in  the  front  with  a  door  or  doors, 
instead  of  at  the  top  with  a  lid.  This  is  the  kind  of  cupboard 
usually  spoken  of  in  old  inventories  as  a  hutch. 

At  Minehead,  Somerset,  there  is  a  singularly  good  and  well- 
carved  example,  both  sides  of  which  are  figured  in  Mr.  Roe's  work. 
It  is  there  termed  "  Flemish,"  but  the  arms  and  other  details  are 
essentially  English.  It  is  carved  both  back  and  front,  and  was 
probably  domestic  in  its  origin,  and  intended  to  stand  in  the  centre 
of  a  room.  In  the  front  are  three  carved  panels,  the  outer  ones 
hinged  as  doors,  one  of  which  has  an  elaborate  traceried  rose,  and 
the  other  the  eagle  of  St.  John  ;  underneath  are  two  drawers 
carved  with  flamboyant  tracery.  At  the  back  are  four  panels,  the 
two  centre  ones  of  which  bear  respectively  the  "i^rms  of  England 
and  France  quarterly,  and  a  dolphin  between  three  mullets  (Fitz- 
james).  Richard  Fitzjames  was  vicar  of  Minehead  in  1484,  leaving 
in  1496  for  the  bishopric  of  Rochester,  when  he  probably  gave  the 
chest  to  the  church.  He  was  translated  to  the  bishopric  of  London 
in  1506. 

In  the  parish  church  of  Louth,  Lines.,  is  another  of  these  chest- 
cupboards,  which  is  also  illustrated  by  Mr.  Roe.  The  ironwork  of 
the  hinges  is  good  and  original.  It  possesses  little  architectural 
detail,  and  shows  Renaissance  indications.  There  are  three  panels 
in  the  front  ;  the  other  sides  are  plain.     The  central  panel  has  the 

308 


ALMERIES   OR   CUPBOARDS 


309 


badge  of  the  crowned  Tudor  rose.  The  side  panels,  which  serve 
as  the  doors,  have  the  crowned  busts  of  a  king  and  queen,  evidently- 
intended  for  Henry  VII.  and  Elizabeth  of  York.  This  interesting 
old  piece  of  church  furniture  is  known  to  this  day  as  "  Sudbury's 
Hutch."  There  can  be  little  or  no  doubt  that  it  was  the  gift  to  the 
church  of  Thomas  Sudbury,  vicar  of  Louth,  who  died  in  1504. 

The  earliest  of  these  hutches  remains  to  be  noted.  At  Cley- 
next-the-Sea,  Norfolk,  is  a  chest  in  the  parvise,  of  solid  iron-bound 
oak,  3  inches  thick  ;  it  has  two  small  doors  opening  in  the  front. 
It  is  of  14th-  or  quite  early  I5th-cent.  date. 

In  Rossington  church,  Yorks.,  there  is  a  chest-cupboard  of  a 
later  date.   The  central  panel  opens,  and  it  has  plain  double  hinges. 


ROWINGTON,    WARWICKS. 

The  frieze  of  strap  ornament  marks  it  emphatically  as  early 
Elizabethan. 

In  Rowington  church,  Warwicks.,  there  is  another  very  similar 
hutch,  with  the  central  panel  opening,  and  with  a  frieze  of  strap- 
work.  In  this  case  the  chest  is  mounted  on  turned  legs,  two  of 
which  have  been  shortened  to  permit  it  to  stand  on  a  step. 

It  is  said  that  there  are  two  or  three  other  plain  examples  of 
this  kind  of  chest  in  East  Anglian  churches,  but  we  have  no  notes 
as  to  their  whereabouts. 

Chests  and  coffers  were  undoubtedly  commoner  than  any  form 
of  wooden  almery  or  standing  cupboard  in  our  churches.  But 
they  were  not  unknown  even  in  village  churches  at  an  early  date. 
Thus  in  a  visitation  of  1297  to  the  church  of  Belchamp,  in  Essex, 
mention  is  made  of  a  lock-up  cupboard,  armariolmm  cum  sertira. 

There  is  a  hutch  of  oak  with  a  rounded  top  in  the  cathedral 


3IO 


ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


library  of  Canterbury.  It  is  usually  pointed  out  as  Norman,  but 
the  ironwork  shows  that  it  cannot  be  older  than  the  i6th  cent.  It 
proves,  on  further  examination,  to  be  only  a  lining  provided  in 
post-Reformation  days  to  fit  a  recess  in  one  of  the  Norman  arcades. 

At  Chester  cathedral,  in  the  canons'  vestry,  is  an  old  I3th-cent. 
press  renowned  for  the  beautiful  ironwork  of  the  hinges. 

In  the  vestry  of  York  minster  there  is  a  standing  cupboard, 
armoire,  or  almery,  5  feet  9  inches  high,  4  feet  10  inches  wide,  and 
with  a  depth  of  i  foot.  It  has  an  embattled  cornice,  and  is  cer- 
tainly of   I5th-cent.   date.      The   seven  doors  work  on  elaborate 


ALMERY,    CARLISLE   CATHEDRAL 

strap-hinges.  It  has  unfortunately  been  cut  down  at  the  base, 
having  apparently  rotted  through  damp.  The  right-hand  narrow 
cupboard  extends  the  whole  height,  and  was  probably  intended  for 
the  pastoral  staff.  Mr.  Roe  illustrates  and  describes  this  almery 
in  detail. 

At  Carlisle  are  two  painted  almeries  of  the  15th  cent.,  one  of 
which  is  here  illustrated. 

"  They  are  painted  with  conventional  representations  of  the  thistle, 
and  have  long  strap-hinges  with  pierced  ends,  under  which  may  be  traced 
remains  of  crimson  velvet.  One  of  these  almeries  is  painted  round  with 
a  border  of  rosettes,  enclosing  the  initials  T.  G.,  probably  those  of  Thomas 
Gondibour,  who  was  friar  in  the  latter  part  of  the  15th  cent." 


ALMERIES   OR   CUPBOARDS 


311 


There  used  to  be  another  highly  interesting  I5th-cent.  almery, 
with  strap-hinges  and  other  ornamental  ironwork  at  the  church  of 
Wetheral,  Cumberland  ;  but  it  disappeared  several  years  ago,  it  is 
supposed  during  a  "  restoration." 

There  is  also  a  handsome  detached  i6th-cent.  almery,  with  a 
coped  top,  in  Coity  church,  Glams.  ;  it  is  described  and  illustrated 
by  Mr.  Roe. 

At  Hambledon  church,  Bucks.,  is  a  much  enriched  and  interest- 
ing piece  of  furniture,  which  has  been  termed  a  "double  chest,"  but 
clearly  comes  under  the  generic  name  of  almery  or  armoire.  There 
is  an  old  and  firmly  rooted  local  tradition  that  the  carving  once 


WETHERAL,    CUMBERLAND 


formed  part  of  a  bedstead  belonging  to  Cardinal  Wolsey.  The 
arms  of  the  cardinal  appear  on  one  of  the  panels.  At  Fingest, 
three  miles  from  Hambledon,  was  a  manor  house  of  the  bishops  of 
Lincoln,  which  see  was  held  by  Wolsey  in  1514  ;  but  he  was  not 
then  a  cardinal,  and  the  cardinal's  hat  appears  over  the  arms.  The 
carving  of  the  front  of  the  armoire,  which  is  5  feet  6  inches  square, 
is  divided  into  eight  panels.  The  first  of  the  upper  tier,  to  the 
left,  has  the  cardinal's  arms,  with  the  royal  arms  above  ;  the  second 
the  arms  of  Bishop  Foxe  of  Winchester  ;  and  the  third  and  fourth 
two  small  unidentified  medallion  heads.  The  first  of  the  lower 
tier  has  an  unrecognized  coat-of-arms,  and  the  three  others  intricate 


312        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

designs.  There  seems  no  doubt  that  this  fine  piece  of  woodwork 
was  not  originally  designed  for  church  use.  Mr.  J.  C.  Fox,  who 
has  recently  described  it  {Bucks  Records,  viii.,  1903),  gives  good 
reasons  for  supposing  that  it  was  made  for  Lord  Sandys,  of  the 
Vyne,  Basingstoke,  in  15 15.  He  was  on  intimate  terms  with  both 
Wolsey  and  Foxe. 

There  is  the  remnant  of  an  almery  or  armoire  of  15th- 
cent.  date,  now  used  for  choristers'  surplices,  in  the  parish 
church  of  Aylesbury,  Bucks.  It  is  formed  of  heavy  baulks  of  oak 
pegged  together,  and  has  a  moulded  cornice  of  bold  proportions. 
The  front  originally  possessed  doors,  as  hinge  marks  are  visible 
on  the  uprights.  It  is  described  by  Mr.  Roe,  and  a  drawing  of  a 
section  of  the  cornice  moulding  given  in  Old  Oak  Furnittcre  {igo^) . 

A  later  form  of  almery,  known  as  a  "  dole  cupboard,"  was  a 
receptacle  for  bread  for  distribution  among  the  poor.  It  always 
had  a  railed  or  pierced  front,  so  that  there  might  be  a  good  current 
of  air.  In  a  recess  of  the  south  transept  of  the  great  abbey  church 
of  St.  Albans  are  three  of  these  food  almeries  or  dole  cupboards. 
They  are  shallow  receptacles,  and  their  fronts  are  fitted  with 
slender  ornamental  rails  ;  each  one  is  capable  of  containing  about 
a  dozen  small  loaves.  Mr.  Roe  considers  that  the  most  elaborate, 
which  is  carved  with  strap  ornaments,  is  of  the  time  of  Charles  I.  ; 
the  two  plainer  almeries  are  of  Charles  II.'s  date.  At  Christ's 
Hospital,  Abingdon,  Berks.,  is  a  late  Elizabethan  almery,  which 
combines  the  functions  of  a  dole  cupboard  and  a  table.  There  is  a 
I7th-cent.  dole  cupboard  at  Kingsthorpe,  Northants. 

At  Ruislip,  Middlesex,  there  is  a  beautifully  carved  dole- 
cupboard  of  four  shelves,  whereupon  is  still  placed  every 
Sunday  two  shillings'  worth  of  bread  in  accordance  with  a  bequest 
of  1692. 

Several  well-carved  shelves  or  cupboards  for  the  reception  of 
dole  bread,  of  i/th-cent.  date,  have  disappeared  from  our 
churches  during  the  pitiless  "  restorations  "  of  the  last  half  century. 
A  most  ornamental  one  with  double  shelves  disappeared  from  the 
church  of  Ightham,  Kent.  The  dole  itself,  however,  continues  to 
be  given  every  Sunday  after  morning  service  ;  the  baker  on 
Saturdays  now  deposits  twelve  penny  loaves,  in  accordance  with  a 
benefaction  of  1627,  and  six  fourpenny  loaves  of  a  later  bequest,  in 
a  covered  basket  which  stands  in  the  porch. 

It  may  be  as  well  here  to  follow  up  the  subject  by  a  few  words 


ALMERIES   OR  CUPBOARDS 


3^3 


on  the  small  squared  recesses  or  hutches  so  often  found  in  chancel 
and  other  walls,  for  the  reception  of  altar  vessels,  altar  books,  linen, 


the  chrysmatory,  etc.,  and  which  are  usually  described  as  almeries, 
or  aumbries.     The  word  "almery"  admits  of  a  great  variety   of 


314        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


spelling.  In  almost  every  case  it  is  plain  to  see  that  these  almery 
recesses  were  originally  fitted  with  doors,  and  the  doors  doubtless 
locked. 

In  not  a  few  cases  where  old  churches  are  well  ordered,  the 
almeries,  usually  found  in  the  north  wall  of  the  chancel  near  the 
altar,  have  been  refitted  with  doors  and  locks,  and  put  again,  after 
centuries  of  neglect,  to  their  original  sacred  purposes.  There  are, 
however — and  this  is  more  interesting  from  the  antiquarian  stand- 
point— a  fair  number  of  instances  where  the  old  mediaeval  doors,  or 
parts  of  them,  yet  remain.     There  are  several  old  doors  remaining 

to  the  wall  almeries  of  Northampton- 
shire, as  at  Floore,  Kingsthorpe,  and 
Rotherthorpe. 

At  Ringstead,  Northants,  there  is,  in 
the  vestry,  an  old  almery  recess  with 
original  oak  door,  and  the  whole  recess 
is  cased  with  a  double  lining  of  wood. 
In  the  south  chancel  wall  of  the  same 
church  are  two  trefoil-headed  almeries, 
one  over  the  other,  to  the  east  of  the 
piscina  niche. 

At  Drayton,  Berks.,  there  is  an  almery 
recess  with  wooden  doors  and  early  iron-  I 
work.  One  at  Salisbury  cathedral  retains 
the  original  doors.  Below  the  stone 
gospel-desk,  against  the  north  wall  of 
the  chancel  of  Chaddesden,  Derbs.,  is  a 
small  wall  almery  with  door  remaining. 
The  almery  recess  of  Barrington,  Cambs., 
also  preserves  its  wooden  doors.  At 
Northleach,  Glos.,  the  almery  has  a  stone  shelf,  and  still  retains 
half  the  door  and  the  hinges.  In  the  north  chancel  wall  of 
Rattlesden,  Suffolk,  there  is  a  fine  almery  recess  beneath  a  muti- 
lated canopy  ;  the  original  iron  hinge-pins  remain,  as  well  as  the 
grooves  in  the  sides  for  a  shelf. 

As  a  rule  these  wall  almeries  are  plainly  squared,  and  lack  any 
mouldings  ;  but  there  are  some  exceptions.  At  Freeby,  Leics., 
there  is  an  almery  with  moulded  jambs.  The  almery  below  the 
gospel  lectern  at  Spondon,  Derbs.,  has  a  late  trefoiled  head.  In 
Seaton  church  there  is  a  lancet-headed  almery  in  the  north  wall  of 


GOSPEL  LECTERN  AND  ALMERY 
CHADDESDEN,    DERBS. 


ALMERIES   OR   CUPBOARDS 


315 


GOSPEL  LECTERN   AND  ALMERY, 
SPONDON,   DERBS. 


the  chancel,  with  the  iron  hinge-hooks  ;  in  the  east  wall  are  two 
other  almeries  of  different  size,  but  each  has  a  trefoil  head  ;  the 

one   north    of    the    altar    retains    an      

original  wooden  shelf.    At  the  churches 

of    Furneaux     Pelham,    Herts,     and 

Eglingham,  Northumberland,  there  are 

also  lancet-headed  wall  almeries.     In 

the  north  aisle  of  Salisbury  cathedral 

there  are  two  large  triangular-headed 

almeries.     Occasionally  these  almeries 

in    chancel   walls   are    of   an    oblong 

shape,  and  in  such  cases  there  is  good 

reason   for  believing  that  they  were 

intended  for  the   storage   of  altar  or 

other   candles.      In    a   few    instances 

wall   almeries  are  found   at  the  west 

end   of  the   church,    and    it    is   quite 

possible   that   their   primary  use  was 

for  the  reception  of  the  salt,  tapers,  etc.,  that  were  required  at 

baptism. 

Now  and  again  almeries  are  found  in  the  east  wall  of  the 
chancel,  as  at  Upton,  Northants,  or  Sompting,  Sussex  ;  in  such 
cases  it  has  been  stated,  but  without  any  warrant,  that  they  were 
intended  as  a  receptacle  for  the  pyx.  It  is,  however,  much  more 
likely  that  such  an  almery  (vestries  being  very  rare  in  the  ordinary 
parish  church)  would  be  utilized  for  the  safeguarding  under  lock 
and  key  of  relics.  At  Martock,  Somerset,  there  is  an  almery  in 
the  east  wall  behind  the  altar,  level  with  the  floor ;  this  arrange- 
ment is  said  to  be  unique,  and  seems  almost  certainly  to  point 
to  the  careful  guarding  of  some  important  relic. 

Recesses  that  appear  to  have  been  undoubtedly  intended 
for  relics  occur  at  Grantham  and  Westborough,  Lines.  The 
celebrated  great  almery  for  relics  at  Selby  abbey  unfortunately 
perished  in  the  fire  of  1906. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  in  some  cases  a  more  or  less  ornamental 
wooden  casing  was  aflixed  to  the  wall  covering  the  recess,  and 
forming  a  frame  for  the  door.  We  have  noticed  traces  of  this  in 
about  a  score  of  churches,  and  on  examination  it  is  probable  that 
many  more  indications  of  this  custom  will  be  brought  to  light. 
There  is  a  striking  instance  in  a  small  Hampshire  church  of  the 


3i6        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

former  existence  of  a  wooden  framework ;  in  the  south  wall  of 
the  chancel  of  Upton  Grey  is  a  plain,  unmoulded,  pointed  niche 
over  a  piscina  drain,  and  another  rather  lower-pointed  niche  im- 
mediately beyond  it.  The  walling  each  side  of  this  is  drilled  with 
several  small  circular  holes  for  plugs,  and  it  is  obvious  that  they 
held  a  wooden  casing  or  front  to  these  two  niches,  both  of  which 
would  be  closed  with  doors.  Probably  this  work  would  be  of  an 
ornamental  character  in  carved  wood  and  ironwork,  such  as  are  still 
to  be  found  closing  the  opening  of  almeries  in  the  churches  of 
Gotland,  one  or  two  of  which  are  as  early  as  the  13th  cent. 
Almeries  on  the  north  side  of  the  altar  are  fairly  common  in 
Sweden  ;  but  it  is  only  in  Gotland  that  the  doors  and  frames 
have  been  preserved.* 

Now  and  again  wall  almeries  or  lockers  are  found  of  considerable 
size.  One  of  the  most  remarkable  of  these  large  almeries  is  the 
one  on  the  north  side  of  the  chancel  of  Pattishall,  Northants.  It 
is  5  feet  2  inches  high,  2  feet  i  inch  in  width,  and  1 5  inches  deep  ; 
it  has  a  trefoiled  head,  and  all  round  is  the  groove,  f  inch  deep^ 
into  which  the  door  fitted.  The  approximate  date  and  the  name 
of  the  constructor  of  this  unusually  large  receptacle  are  known,  for 
over  the  apex  of  the  opening  is  a  stone  thus  lettered  in  relief — 
P'  Jo  hem  Gyllyng,  John  Gilling  was  vicar  of  Pattishall  from  13 17 
to  1349. 

COPE  CHESTS 

There  can  be  no  doubt  that  many  a  parish  church  of  mediaeval 
England  would  possess  a  cope  chest  of  special  shape,  in  order  to 
prevent  the  undue  creasing  of  the  processional  vestment,  which  was 
often  of  such  costly  material,  and  so  lavishly  embroidered  on  the 
hood  and  orphreys. 

Now,  however,  it  is  in  vain  to  look  for  these  interesting  but 
cumbersome  chests,  save  in  the  cathedral  churches,  where  the  use 
of  the  cope  so  long  lingered.  The  shape  of  the  true  cope,  when 
laid  out  flat,  is  semicircular,  and  if  folded  once  is  quadrant,  or 
the  fourth  segment  of  a  circle. 

At  York  minster  there  are  two  good  examples  of  cope  chests, 

*  On  this  subject,  Dr.  Hans  Hildebrand  wrote  an  interesting  and  well-illustrated 
paper  in  the  Kongl.  Viiierhet.  Historic  och  Antiqtiitets  Akadamieas  Manadsblad,  for  the 
third  quarter  of  1889. 


OF 


NNER-STAVE    LOCKERS 


d^'^J 


each  of  which  is  a  quadrant  of  6  feet  6  inches  in  diameter.  The 
lids  are  in  two  halves,  and  have  hinges  and  iron  scrollwork  of 
much  beauty.  They  are  of  oak,  covered  with  leather  at  the  top 
and  sides.  Colonel  Hart,  who  is  an  expert  in  ironwork,  considers 
that  these  chests  are  of  different  dates,  one  being  of  the  I2th  cent., 
and  the  other  of  the  latter  end  of  the  13th  cent. 

"  The  leaves  and  flowers  of  the  second  example  have  been  formed  by 
beating  the  iron  when  hot  into  chilled  iron  dies ;  and  this  method  of  work 
was  peculiar  to  the  end  of  the  13th  cent." 

Salisbury  cathedral  possesses  an  interesting  example,  for 
though  it  lacks  carving  or  ornamental  ironwork,  it  is  semicircular 
in  shape,  allowing  the  cope 
to  be  placed  in  it  without 
any  folding.  This  chest 
is  half  of  a  circle  12  feet 
6  inches  in  diameter. 
Gloucester  cathedral  also 
possesses  a  semicircular 
cope  chest  ;  like  the  one 
at  Salisbury,  it  is  lacking 
in  any  interesting  detail. 

The  example  at  Wells 
cathedral  is  a  quadrant, 
and  probably  of  late  1 3th- 
cent.  date.  There  is 
another     plain     quadrant 

instance  at  Westminster  abbey,  which  most  likely  belongs  to  the 
14th  cent. 

Wales  is  outside  the  scope  of  this  work  ;  but  in  this  case,  as 
cope  chests  are  so  rare,  it  may  be  well  to  mention  that  there  is 
a  good  panelled  example  of  late  date,  on  legs,  at  St.  John's, 
Brecon. 


COPE  CHEST,   WELLS   CATHEDRAL 


BANNER-STAVE   LOCKERS 

In  some  churches  there  are  found  lofty  narrow  niches  or  wall 
closets,  from  7  to  12  feet  high,  and  only  i  foot  or  18  inches  wide, 
and  barely  a  foot  in  depth.  They  are  usually  towards  the  west 
end  of  the  building.     In  some  cases  the  aperture  extends  upwards 


3i8 


ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


in  the  wall  above  the  external  top,  and  in  one  or  two  instances  the 
aperture  extends  downwards  below  the  external  base.  Almost 
every  example  shows  the  iron  hinges  of  the  original  door,  or  traces 
of  where  they  had  been  driven,  and  the  grooves  for  the  door  may 
always  be  noticed.     These  tall  narrow  lockers  are  chiefly  found  in 


BARNEY,    SUFFOLK 


ST.   MARGARET'S,    LOWESTOFT 


East  Anglian  and  Northamptonshire  churches.  There  is  only  one 
instance  known  in  which  the  door  still  remains,  handsomely 
pierced  with  openings  for  ventilation.  This  example  is  at  Barnby, 
Suffolk,  in  the  south  wall  of  the  nave,  near  the  west  end  ;  it  is 
6  feet  8  inches    in  height,  1 1  inches   wide,  and   i  foot  in    depth. 


BANNER-STAVE    LOCKERS  319 

The  woodwork  appears  to  be  of  i5th-cent.  date.  The  door  has  been 
reversed  at  some  later  period  when  it  was  refitted  with  compara- 
tively modern  hinges  ;  the  tracery  now  at  the  top  of  the  door 
was  obviously  designed  for  the  bottom  position. 

Another  fine  example  is  to  be  seen  at  the  west  end  of  the  old 
church  of  St.  Margaret,  Lowestoft ;  it  has  an  ornamental  beading 
of  two  cinque-foiled  arches,  with  a  shield  over  them  ;  above  it  is 
part  of  a  battlemented  cornice.  The  late  Canon  Manning  was 
the  first  to  draw  attention  to  the  probable  use  of  these  lofty  narrow 
lockers,  in  1885  (Archceological  Journal,  xlii.) ;  his  conjecture  that 
they  were  intended  for  the  keeping  of  processional  crosses  seems 
almost  certainly,  though  only  partially,  correct.  It  would  be  more 
accurate  to  describe  them  as  intended  for  the  safe  keeping  of  the 
shaft  of  the  processional  cross,  for  the  altar  cross  was  usually  made 
in  such  a  way  that  it  could  be  mounted  on  a  staff  for  processional 
use.  Here,  too,  would  be  kept  the  wooden  processional  cross  for 
use  in  Lent,  and  more  especially  the  staves  for  banners  with  which 
almost  every  church  was  supplied. 

The  tall  locker  of  this  description  at  Kingsthorpe,  Northants,  is 
in  the  south  chancel  chapel.  At  Castle  Rising,  Norfolk,  there 
is  an  unusually  large  receptacle  of  this  nature  in  the  east  wall  of 
the  chancel. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  these  banner-stave  lockers,  so  far  as 
they  have  yet  been  noticed  : — 

Glos. — Bristol  cathedral. 

^^r/i-.— Kelshall. 

Norfolk. — Castle   Rising,    Catfield,    Cromer,    Palling,  Strumpshaw,  South 

Walsham  St.  Mary,  Waxham  (8  feet  high). 
Northants. — Kingsthorpe^    Northampton    St.    Sepulchre,    Earls     Barton, 

Hannington. 
Stiffolk. — Barnby,  Blyford,  South  Cove,  Gisleham,  Henstead,  Lowestoft, 

Rushmere,  Shadingfield,  Wrentham. 
Warwicks. — Nuneaton  abbey  church. 


CHAPTER  X 
THE   LIGHTS   OF   A   CHURCH 

THE  mediaeval  churches  of  England  were  lighted  artificially 
in  two  ways,  by  lamp  and  by  candle.  As  has  been  said 
elsewhere,*  the  lighting  for  practical  purposes — that  is  to 
say,  to  enable  each  worshipper,  if  so  minded,  to  follow  the  prayers 
in  print  or  MS.,  or  to  join  in  responses,  chants,  or  hymns  not 
known  by  heart — was  a  method  of  procedure  altogether  unknown. 
The  ordinary  or  necessary  lights  for  a  church  would  be  few  and 
far  between.  The  usual  offices  were  said  by  daylight,  save  at  the 
early  winter  masses.  Gilds  were  in  the  habit  of  attending  at  the 
late  first  evensongs  of  festivals,  but  then  special  provision  was  made 
for  lighting.  In  the  larger  quires,  where  the  night  offices  were 
kept,  the  light  before  the  high  altar  would  give  at  least  a  dim 
glimmer,  whilst  there  were  usually  two  candle  sockets  to  the  great 
lectern  in  the  centre  of  the  chancel,  on  which  lay  large  copies  of 
the  grayle  and  antiphonar.  Every  mass  had,  of  course,  its  own 
light  or  lights,  and  the  great  festivals,  especially  those  of  Christmas, 
Candlemas,  and  Easter,  had  their  special  illuminations. 

Cressets  and  mortars,  which  were  cups  hollowed  in  stone  and 
filled  with  grease  or  oil  with  a  floating  wick,  were  now  and  again 
placed  near  doorways  and  at  other  points  of  vantage  for  general 
lighting  purposes.  They  were  specially  used  at  cloister  corners 
and  on  dormitory  stairways  in  religious  houses.  These  cresset 
stones  are  occasionally  met  with  in  old  churches.  Not  a  few  of 
these  interesting  relics  of  a  former  method  of  Hghting  churches  and 
monasteries  have  been  flung  aside  by  those  ignorant  of  their  use. 
"Cresset"  was  originally  the  Middle  English  term  for  a  cup  of 
earthenware  or  metal  fastened  to  the  top  of  a  pole  and  containing 

♦  "Lights  of  a  Mediaeval  Church,"  by  Dr.  Cox,  in  Curious  Church  Gleanings  (1896), 
where  the  great  variety  of  devotional  lights  and  of  ^funeral  serges  or  torches  are  fully 
discussed. 

320 


THE    LIGHTS   OF   A   CHURCH  321 

a  light ;  it  was  generally  used  as  a  portable  lantern.  From  the 
cup  or  cresset  containing  the  oil  and  wick  of  a  light,  the  word 
"cresset"  was  transferred  to  the  hollow  in  a  stone  in  which  a 
stationary  light  was  burned,  and  hence  stones  containing  such 
cavities  are  termed  "cresset  stones."  The  Rites  of  Durham 
describe  three  of  these,  one  in  the  church  itself  and  two  in  the 
dormitory.     The  following  is  the  account  of  the  first  of  these  :— 

"There  is  standinge  on  the  South  pillar  of  the  Quire  doore  of  the 
LanthornCj  in  a  corner  of  the  same  pillar,  a  foure-squared  stoun,  which 
hath  been  finely  wrought,  in  every  square  a  large  fine  image,  whereon  did 
stand  a  four-squared  stone  above  that,  which  had  twelve  cressetts  wrought 
in  that  stone,  which  was  filled  with  tallow,  and  every  night  one  of  them 
was  lighted  when  the  day  was  gone,  and  did  burne  to  give  light  to  the 
monkes  at  midnight,  when  they  came  to  mattens." 

In  a  paper  in  the  ArchcBological  Journal  for  1882  (vol.  xxxix.) 
on  these  cresset  stones,  examples  at  Calder  Abbey  and  Furness 
Abbey,  with  sixteen  and  five  circular  depressions  respectively,  are 
described.  Mention  is  made  in  the  same  article  of  a  cresset  stone 
of  Purbeck  marble,  with  four  circular  depressions,  at  Wool  church, 
Dorset ;  of  one  of  granite,  with  seven  holes,  at  Lewannick  church, 
Cornwall ;  of  a  Norman  corbel-bracket  at  Dearham  church,  Cum- 
berland, with  a  single  cresset  hole;  and  of  others  at  Carlisle, 
Monmouth,  and  York.  At  Waverley  Abbey  a  cresset  stone  has 
recently  (1902)  come  to  light  with  four  depressions.  At  the 
restoration  of  North  Wingfield  church,  Derbs.,  in  1872,  a  cresset 
stone  of  five  holes  was  found  built  into  the  north  wall  of  the 
north  aisle  in  two  pieces.  During  the  same  year,  and  in  the 
same  county,  another  broken  cresset  stone  came  to  light  when 
the  old  church  of  Parwich  was  pulled  down.  Two  cresset  stones 
may  be  seen  in  the  church  of  Romsey,  Hants  ;  they  were  found 
in  1867.     There  is  one  of  five  holes  in  the  church  at  Wareham. 

With  regard  to  lamps,  as  distinguished  from  mere  cressets  or 
cups  of  stone,  their  chief  use  was  devotional  and  in  the  chancel. 
A  perpetual  lamp  burned,  as  a  rule,  night  and  day  before  the  high 
altar  in  all  the  larger  and  more  wealthy  churches,  as  early  as  the 
13th  cent.  The  continual  light  of  the  sanctuary  lamp,  in  honour 
of  the  reservation  of  the  Blessed  Sacrament,  is  continuously  referred 
to  in  charters,  inventories,  and  church  accounts  from  the  13th  to  the 
1 6th  cents.     The  lamp,  in  this  instance,  seems  hardly  ever  to  have 


322        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

been  superseded  by  candle  or  taper ;  but  in  the  case  of  lights  in 
chapels  and  before  particular  altars  or  images,  lamps  often  gave 
way  to  candles  as  time  went  on,  for  they  were  found  to  give  a 
better  and  a  steadier  light,  and  could  more  easily  be  kept  in  order. 
The  lamp  entries  of  extant  churchwarden  accounts,  either  in 
town  or  country,  almost  invariably  refer  to  the  single  sanctuary 
lamp.  In  Bishop  Hobhouse's  volume  on  the  early  warden  accounts 
of  six  Somersetshire  parishes  the  only  lamp  entries  are  of  that 
nature.  Thus  at  Yatton  jd.  was  paid,  in  1518,  "for  hanging  up 
y®  lampe  in  y®  chansell,"  and  2d.  "  for  a  lyne  to  y^  lampe."  Twenty 
years  later  \d.  was  paid  "for  makynge  clene  y^  lampe  in  y^  chanselle." 
The  will  of  John  Bedham,  1472,  provided  that  the  wardens  of 
St.  Mary-at-Hill,  London,  should  "fynde  and  susteyn  forevermore 
a  lampe  with  oyle  in  the  quire  and  high  Chauncell  of  the  same 
Chirche,  to  burne  alwey  as  well  on  Dayes  as  on  nyghtes  before  the 
blessed  Sacrament."  At  the  beginning  of  the  following  century 
there  are  various  different  entries  for  glasses  for  the  lamp  at  the 
cost  of  id.  each,  and  oil  was  provided  at  4^.  the  quart.  It  appears 
clear  that  this  church,  which  was  well  provided  with  a  great  variety 
of  candlesticks,  possessed  only  a  single  lamp,  for  there  is  an  entry 
in  15 12-13  "for  mendyng  of  the  basen  of  the  lamp." 

As  to  the  candlesticks  of  St.  Mary-at-Hill,  a  I5th-cent.  inventory 
shows  that  there  were  "  on  the  high  auter  ij  gret  Candylstykes  & 
iij  small ;  *  and  on  sant  Stephens  Auter  ij  Candylstykes.  Item  iij 
small  Candylstykes  of  laton  for  Tapurs.  Item  iiij  Candylstykes 
of  laton  with  braunches  for  Talough  candell."  The  high-altar 
candlesticks  were  of  silver,  parcel-gilt,  weighing  forty-eight  ounces. 

Mention  is  made  elsewhere  in  these  accounts  of  standard 
candlesticks,  and  of  others  that  were  attached  to  a  desk  or  lectern 
in  the  quire.  The  high-altar  candlesticks  were  sometimes  used  in 
procession.  A  note  of  i486  tells  of  a  highly  interesting  candle-lit 
procession  in  this  city  church  on  Christmas  day : — 

"  It  hatha  been  acustomyd  that  uppon  Cristmas  day  at  the  magnificat 
in  the  Evensong,  be  ordeyned  for  everye  preste,  dark  and  childe  xv  small 
candelles  waying  all  ij  lb.  di.  And  every  persone  havyng  a  surplice  shall 
have  one  of  thise  small  candelles  brennyng  in  their  handes  &  so  to  go  on 
procession  to  the  tombe  of  Mr.  Cambryge  syngyng  a  Respond  of  Seynte 
Stephen  with  the  prose  therto :   that  done,  a  versicle  with   the  colet  of 

*  The  opinions  of  modern  ritual  purists,  who  insist  on  only  two  candlesticks  on  an 
altar,  are  frequently  set  at  nought  by  old  inventories. 


THE    LIGHTS   OF    A   CHURCH  323 

St.  Stephen,  And  in  goyng  into  the  Queer  a  Antemprne  of  oure  ladye  : 
Beryng  ij  candilstickes  of  sylver  with  the  tapres  on  yt  &  a  Sencer  with 
a  schyp." 

Altar  Candlesticks  came  into  general  use  about  the  begin- 
ning of  the  13th  cent  The  usual  number  was  two,  and  those  that 
remain  are,  in  almost  all  instances,  in  pairs.*  The  earliest 
examples,  and  the  most  interesting  and  beautiful,  are  the  set  pre- 
served at  St.  Thomas's,  Bristol,  which  date  from  very  early  in  the 
13th  cent.  Their  provenance  is  unknown;  their  affinity  is  with 
Germany  rather  than  with  France,  but  it  is  quite  possible  that  they 


PRICKET  CANDLESTICK,  I2TH-CENT., 
FROM  PAINTING,  CRYPT,  CANTER- 
BURY  CATHEDRAL 


CLAPTON-IN-GORDANO,    SOMERSET 


are  of  British  workmanship.  They  are  in  two  pairs,  the  larger 
\o\  and  the  smaller  5  J  inches  in  height ;  they  resemble  each 
other  generally,  but  the  smaller  are  a  little  less  ornate  in  decora- 
tion, and  have  only  one  swelling  on  the  stem  instead  of  three. 
They  are  of  copper,  originally  gilt,  and  encrusted  with  Champleve 
enamel,  much  of  which  has  been  lost.  In  shape  they  consist  of  a 
spreading,  triangular,  pyramidal  base,  a  slender  shaft  with  globular 
swellings,  one  and  three  respectively,  and  a  flat  expansion  for 
head.  At  a  later  date  sconces  of  latten  have  been  added.  The 
decoration  is  romanesque,  with  geometrical  figures,  scrolls,  and 
monsters.     Their  preservation,  on  the  whole,  is  good. 

*  The  Constitution  of  Archbishop  Raynold  of  Canterbury,  1322,  lays  down  :  Tem- 
pore quo  missarum  solennior  peragutitur  accendantur  duo  candele  vel  ad  minus  una. 


324        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


The  other  examples  are  later  in  date,  belonging  to  the  15th 
and  1 6th  cents.  The  pair  now  at  Christ  Church,  Hoxton,  are 
typical  of  nearly  all.  These  are  of  brass,  13  J  inches  in  height,  and 
have  a  bold  base,  well  moulded  ;  the  shafts  are  decorated  with 
circular  mouldings,   and    terminate   in   an   expanded   basin  with 

battlemented  mouldings,  from 
which  rises  a  pricket.  Those  at 
Clapton-in-Gordano,  Somerset,  are 
latest  in  date,  and  are  almost  Re- 
naissance in  character  ;  they  have 
circular  bases,  spirally  twisted 
stems,  and  sconces  instead  of 
prickets. 

The  references  to  gifts  of  a  pair 
of  candlesticks  for  the  altar  are 
frequent  in  p re-Reformation  wills. 
In  Northamptonshire  there  was  a 
bequest,  in  1533,  of  ;£'io  to  buy  a 
pair  of  silver  altar  candlesticks  for 
Wellingborough ;  and  a  smaller 
sum,  in  the  same  year,  to  the 
church  of  Moreton  Pinkney,  for 
two  candlesticks  to  stand  before 
the  high  altar. 

Very  occasionally  there  was  a 
gift  of  a  single  altar  candlestick. 
Thus  a  "  candyllstike  "  was  left  to 
St.  Clement's  altar  at  the  church 
of  St.  Giles,  Northampton,  in 
1528;  but  in  this  and  like  cases 
the  bequest  meant  a  candlestick 
or  taper-stand  to  be  placed  in  front 
of  the  altar. 

The  most  remarkable  and  the 
oldest  church  candlestick  in  England,  probably  one  of  a  pair  of  altar 
lights,  is  the  early  I2th-cent.,  richly  wrought  gilt  candlestick,  of 
base  silver,  now  in  the  Victoria  and  Albert  Museum.  It  was 
formerly  in  the  abbey  church  of  St,  Peter,  Gloucester.  Abbot 
Peter,  the  donor,  ruled  from  1107  to  11 13.  It  stands  23  inches 
high,  has  three  dragons'  heads  for  feet,  and  is  ornamented  throughout 


THE   GLOUCESTER   CANDLESTICK 


THE    LIGHTS   OF   A   CHURCH  325 

with  pierced  foliage  and  monsters  in  relief.  Round  the  top  is 
inscribed — Lticis  onus  virtutis  opus  doctrina  refulgens  predicat  ut 
vicio  non  tenebretur  homo.  On  a  ribbon  that  runs  round  the  shaft 
is — Abbatis  Petri gregis  et  devotio  mitis  me  dedit  ecclesie  sancti  Petri 
Gloecestre.  Round  the  inside  of  the  pricket  bowl  is  a  later  inscrip- 
tion, recording  the  gift  of  the  candlestick  to  the  church  of  Le  Mans 
by  Thomas  de  Poche. 

At  Canterbury  cathedral  is  a  silver-gilt  pricket  candlestick 
(probably  one  of  a  pair),  i/J  inches  high  exclusive  of  the  pricket. 
It  is  of  early  i6th-cent.  date. 

Several  of  the  cathedral  churches  and  collegiate  chapels  of 
England  are  supplied  with  fine  examples  of  the  silversmith's  art  in 
altar  candlesticks  of  post-Reformation  times. 

The  silver  altar  candlesticks  of  Rochester  cathedral  bear  the 
hall-mark  of  1653. 

In  Salisbury  cathedral,  standing  on  the  altar  of  the  Lady 
Chapel,  are  a  pair  of  silver-gilt  candlesticks  of  fluted  pillar  form 
with  square  base ;  they  measure  26  inches  in  height,  including  the 
pricket.  The  hall-mark  is  for  1663.  An  inscription  under  the 
base  shows  that  they  were  the  gift  of  Sir  Robert  Hyde,  Recorder 
of  Salisbury,  and  Lord  Chief  Justice  of  the  Common  Pleas ;  he 
died  in  1665. 

In  1683  Lord  Beaumont  gave  two  silver  candlesticks,  weigh- 
ing 53  ounces,  for  the  altar  of  York  Minster.  They  are  plain 
circular  candlesticks,  and  are  silver-gilt.  The  hall-mark  is 
1672-3. 

The  candlesticks  at  present  used  on  the  high  altar  are  of  older 
date.  They  are  of  silver-gilt,  with  fluted  stems,  standing  15  inches 
in  height,  and  were  the  gift  of  Archbishop  Sancroft,  who  was  for  a 
short  time,  in  1664,  Dean  of  York.  On  the  base  of  one  of  them 
are  the  impaled  arms  of  Canterbury  and  Sancroft. 

The  silver-gilt  altar  candlesticks  of  Norwich  cathedral  stand 
20^  inches  high,  and  have  the  date-mark  of  1665.  They  are 
inscribed — Ad  sacros  usus  Eclesice  Cathedralis  sanctce  et  individuce 
Trinitatis  Norivici  Donavit  civitas  ISJorwicensis. 

The  silver  altar  candlesticks  of  Exeter  cathedral  date  from 
1 68 1.  A  particularly  fine  pair  of  chased  candlesticks  of  great  size, 
on  tripod  stands,  dated  1684,  belong  to  Westminster  Abbey.  The 
cathedral  church  of  Durham  has  a  fine  pair,  ornamented  with 
fluted  work  and  chased  flowers,  of  the  year  1767.     The  two  fine 


326        ENGLISH   CHURCH    FURNITURE 


silver  altar  candlesticks  of  Sidney  Sussex  College,  Cambridge,  are 
of  the  year  1741  ;  they  are  iSJ  inches  high.  There  are  a  still 
finer  and  much  larger  pair  at  Trinity  College,  Cambridge,  with 
prickets,  dated  1773. 

The  following  brief  references  to  other  church  candlesticks, 
arranged  alphabetically,  will  be  found  to  include  most  of  the  note- 
worthy old  examples  of  various  dates,  left  in  English  churches, 
which  have  not  been  already  mentioned. 

At  Buckland,  Surrey,  are  two  very  handsome  silver  candlesticks 

with   fluted   columns,   of   the    year 
1691  ;  their  height  is  9^  inches. 

The  church  of  Hackness,  near 
Scarborough,  possesses  a  pair  of 
singularly  beautiful,  small  altar 
candlesticks,  adorned  with  flowers 
and  foliage  in  white  enamel  on  a 
ground  of  blue  enamel,  with  the 
outlines  of  the  pattern  and  the  rims 
of  brass ;  they  are  probably  of 
early  i/th-cent.  date. 

At  Halam,  Notts.,  there  are  two 
hollow  copper  pricket  candlesticks, 
of  late  Renaissance  pattern,  22 
inches  high. 

At  Harthill,  Yorks.,  there  are  a 
very  fine  pair  of  altar  candlesticks, 
silver-gilt,  bearing  the  London 
mark  of  1675  ;  they  each  bear  an 
inscription  to  the  eflect  that  they 
were  the  gift  of  "  Peregrine,  second  Duke  of  Leeds." 

The  church  of  Hatton,  Warwicks.,  has  a  pair  of  silver  candle- 
sticks with  square  bases  and  baluster  stems,  11];  inches  high;  they 
are  hall-marked  1683. 

At  Leigh  Delamere,  Wilts.,  are  a  magnificent  pair  of  silver 
altar  candlesticks.  They  are  of  Spanish  origin  and  early  I7th-cent. 
date  ;  they  were  presented  to  this  church  in  1843. 

The  two  altar  candlesticks  of  Lutterworth  church,  Leics.,  long 
pointed  out  as  Wyclifl"e  relics,  are  in  reality  of  Laudian  date  ;  they 
are  of  gilded  wood. 

A    pair    of   brass    altar    candlesticks    in    the    church    of   St. 


HACKNESS,    N.  R.  YORKS. 


THE    LIGHTS   OF   A   CHURCH  327 

Augustine,  Norwich,  are  ornamented  with  strap  pattern  ;  they  are 
of  the  time  of  Charles  II. 

At  Moseley,  Leics.,  are  a  pair  of  gilded  wooden  altar  candle- 
sticks of  carved  Renaissance  work  ;  they  date  from  1662. 

St.  Anne's,  Soho,  has  two  small  silver  altar  candlesticks  with 
fluted  columns  and  square  feet,  8  inches  high,  and  bearing  the  date- 
mark  of  1679.  They  are  inscribed — The  gift  of  Alvia  de  Veux  to 
f  parish  of  St.  Ann%  Westminster ^  1722. 

The  cathedral  church  of  Southwell  possesses  a  highly  interesting 
pair  of  great  brass  candlesticks,  originally  4  feet  6J  inches  high,  to 
which  10 J  inches  have  been  added.  They  formerly  belonged  to 
Newstead  Priory,  and  were  recovered  from  the  lake  about  1780, 
together  with  a  fine  brass  eagle  lectern.  They  stand,  like  the 
eagle,  on  lion  feet,  and  have  tapering  nozzles. 

In  the  private  chapel  of  Earl  Ferrers,  at  Staunton  Harold, 
Leics.,  is  an  elaborate  set  of  Eucharistic  vessels  dated  1654.  This 
set  includes  a  handsome  pair  of  silver-gilt  altar  candlesticks,  i8| 
inches  high  ;  they  are  of  a  handsome,  thick  baluster-stem  pattern, 
and  rest  on  tripod-shaped  feet  ornamented  with  angel  heads. 

At  Swithland,  Leics.,  are  a  pair  of  handsome  silver  altar  candle- 
sticks, 92  inches  high,  bearing  the  date  mark  of  1701. 

The  church  of  St.  Mary's,  Shrewsbury,  possesses  a  pair  of  silver 
candlesticks,  given  by  Lady  Abigail  Yeomans  for  "  the  use  of  the 
Communion,"  between  17 16  and  1727  ;  they  are  named  on  the 
benefaction  board  within  the  church. 

A  candlestick  of  Limoges  enamel,  said  to  be  c.  1200,  belongs 
to  the  church  of  Weston,  Norfolk,  doubtless  one  of  a  former  pair. 

The  Rood  Lights. — Among  the  various  lights  of  an  English 
mediaeval  church,  the  most  important,  next  to  the  sacrament  light, 
were  those  which  burned  before  the  rood.  At  festival  times  it  was 
customary,  out  of  devotion  to  the  rood,  to  use  the  front  of  the  loft 
itself  or  the  rood-beam — which  was  sometimes  even  known  by  the 
name  of  candle-beam — for  the  support  of  a  variety  of  lights. 
Mediaeval  wills,  as  well  as  church  accounts,  supply  innumerable 
entries  as  to  this  custom.  Mr.  Vallance  points  out  that  the  most 
usual  way  of  setting  lights  before  the  rood,  at  all  events  in  Kent, 
was  on  pricket  spikes  in  the  midst  of  bowls,  of  latten  or  pewter. 
Of  such  bowls,  as  many  as  a  hundred  are  known  to  have  existed  at 
one  time  at  Chilham,  sixty  at  Westwell,  twenty-four  at  North  Cray, 
twenty  at  Bromley,  seventeen  at  Eastwell,  twelve  at  Little  Chart 


328        ENGLISH   CHURCH    FURNITURE 


and  at  Ridley,  and  four  at  St.  Paul's  Cray,  all  in  Kent.  Candle- 
sticks— that  is,  prickets  mounted  on  a  stem — were  of  less  common 
use,  but  the  particular  method  of  lighting  up  the  rood-beam  on 
special  festivals  varied  much  in  different  parts  of  England.  When 
the  destruction  of  remaining  "  Popish  trash  "  was  ordered  in  Lincoln- 
shire churches  in  1566,  the  churchwardens  of  Fulletby  testified  that 
they  had  burnt  "  a  pece  of  wood  whereon  stood  xxiiij  candels  in 
the  tyme  of  Quene  Marie."     This  was  evidently  the  rood-beam. 

In  addition  to  the  row  of  lights  along  the  beam  or  gallery  front, 
there  was  always  a  special  light,  sometimes  a  lamp,  and  at  other 
times  a  great  candle  or  taper  immediately  in  front  of  the  rood, 
which  burnt  either  perpetually  or  at  stated  times,  irrespective  of 

festivals.  Thus  one  testator 
bequeaths  "  a  pound  of  wax 
to  be  thereof  a  taper  per- 
petually every  year  to  be  made 
to  burn  in  the  rood-loft  before 
the  rood  ;  and  the  said  taper 
every  year  to  be  new  made 
against  the  Eve  of  the  Na- 
tivity." This  taper  was  to  be 
kept  at  the  cost  of  the  inheri- 
tors or  occupiers  of  a  specified 
piece  of  land  containing  four 
acres.  In  another  case,  a 
testator  left  the  means  to  main- 
tain a  light  "to  burn  before 
the  Rood  from  the  second  peal  to  Matins  till  High  Mass  be  done, 
and  from  the  second  peal  to  Evensong,  till  Evensong  be  done,  for 
evermore." 

The  chief  light  suspended  before  the  rood  not  infrequently  took 
the  form  of  a  circle  or  crown,  containing  from  twelve  to  twenty  candles 
or  tapers.  These  chandeliers  were  generally  known  as  "Vowells" 
or  "  roelles  "  in  East  Anglia,  and  in  some  other  parts  of  England  ; 
they  often  appear  under  this  title  in  wills.  Thus  in  1494,  Jane 
Taillour  bequeaths  wax  to  make  tapers  for  the  "  xij  lyghtes  bren- 
ning  afore  the  roode  in  ye  rowelle"  in  the  church  of  Blyford. 
The  "  roode  roel "  of  the  church  of  Crondall,  Hants,  is  mentioned 
in  a  bequest  of  1 503.  Pulleys  remain  in  the  roofs  of  some  churches 
at  the  east  end  of  the  naves,  as  at  Ubbeston  and  Wissett,  Suffolk  ; 


CORONA   OF   LIGHTS,    OR   "  ROWELL 


THE    LIGHTS   OF   A   CHURCH  329 

these  were,  doubtless,  used  for  raising  or  lowering  a  rood  light, 
which  was  suspended  independently  of  the  rood  light.  Such 
pulleys  are  sometimes  pointed  out  as  intended  to  serve  for  the 
suspended  pyx  with  the  reserved  sacrament ;  an  idea,  we  need 
scarcely  say,  which  is  absurd  in  such  a  position.  One  case  is  known 
of  the  survival  of  a  pyx  pulley,  or  rather  lever — namely,  at  West 
Grinstead  ;  but  that  is  in  the  chancel  roof  in  front  of  the  high  altar. 

Chandeliers  or  Candelabra. — Brief  consideration  must 
also  be  given  to  chandeliers,  of  which  a  few  early  ones  are  still  to 
be  found.  The  most  accessible  as  well  as  one  of  the  most  beautiful 
is  that  which  still  hangs  in  the  Temple  Church  at  Bristol.  This  is 
of  latten,  about  3  feet  in  height,  having  twelve  branches  arranged 
in  two  tiers,  the  lower  of  eight,  the  upper  of  four.  The  branches, 
which  are  gracefully  curved  and  richly  foliated,  terminate  in  sconces. 
The  branches  rise  from  globes  which  are  held  together  by  slender 
uprights,  forming  a  sort  of  cage,  within  which  is  a  beautifully 
executed  statuette  of  St.  Michael  triumphing  over  the  dragon.  On 
a  pedestal  on  the  upper  orb  is  another  statuette — the  Virgin, 
crowned,  holding  the  infant  Jesus  in  her  arms.  The  lower  globe 
terminates  below  in  a  grotesque  head  with  a  large  ring  in  its  mouth, 
for  convenience  in  drawing  down  the  chandelier  for  lighting  or 
cleaning.  The  date  of  this  chandelier,  whose  workmanship  is 
excellent,  is  about  the  end  of  the  14th  cent. 

A  somewhat  similar  chandelier  with  the  same  statuettes  is  to 
be  seen  at  St.  Michael's  Mount,  and  another,  with  the  Virgin  and 
Child  only,  at  Llanarmon-in~Vale,  Denbigh.  Other  examples  are 
found  at  St.  Nicholas-at-Wade,  Kent,  and  Lew  Trenchard,  Devon. 
At  Rowlston,  Herefords.,  there  are  a  pair  of  old  bracket  chandeliers, 
each  consisting  of  a  branch  of  metal  with  a  cresting  of  cocks  and 
fleur-de-lys,  furnished  with  prickets  for  lights. 

Much  interest  pertains  to  bequests  of  branched  candlesticks 
and  chandeliers,  but  the  citation  of  a  single  Northamptonshire 
example  must  suffice.  In  1531  there  was  left  to  the  church  of 
Braybrook  "  a  candylstick  of  v  flowers  &  v  tapers  of  v  ponde  waxe 
to  be  sete  before  our  lady." 

At  the  beginning  of  the  i8th  cent,  a  fashion  set  in  of  lighting 
English  churches  with  well-designed  chandeliers  of  brass,  having 
two  tiers  of  branched  candlesticks  on  gracefully  curved  stems 
springing  from  a  central  globe.  This  globe  generally  bears  the 
name  of  the  donor  and  the  date.     Examples  of  these  handsome 


330        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

chandeliers,  often  irreverently  known  as  "  spiders,"  are  found  here 
and  there  all  over  England,  although  some  were  ejected  by 
"  Gothic  "  restorers.  Among  earlier  good  examples  may  be  noted 
those  of  St.  Helen,  Abingdon,  1710;  Kingsclere,  Hants,  1713  ; 
and  Whitchurch,  Salop.,  of  the  same  year.  Somewhat  later  good 
instances  occur  at  Lingfield,  Surrey ;  Mayfield,  Sussex  ;  Ightham, 
Kent ;  Tilstock,  Salop. ;  and  Over  Stowey,  Somerset.  The  city  of 
Bristol  and  its  immediate  neighbourhood  is  particularly  rich  in 
examples  of  these  chandeliers,  owing,  no  doubt,  to  the  early  estab- 
lishment of  the  manufacture  of  brass  in  that  city,  A.D.  1705. 

At  Bilton,  Warwicks.,  is  a  fine  brass  chandelier,  which  came 
from  a  church  at  Bois  le  Due  in  Brabant. 

In  Penrith  church,  Cumberland,  are  two  large  gilt  chandeliers 
of  exceptional  value,  owing  to  their  connection  with  the  memorable 
invasion  of  England  by  Prince  Charles  Edward  in  1745.  Each 
bears  the  following  inscription  : — 

"  These  Chandeliers  were  purchased  w*''  y^  fifty  guineas  given  by  the 
most  noble  William  Duke  of  Portland  to  his  Tenante  of  y""  Manor  of 
Penrith :  Who  under  his  Graces  Encouragement  associated  in  defence  of 
the  Government  and  Town  of  Penrith  against  the  Rebels  in  1745.  The 
Rebels  after  their  retreat  from  Derby  were  put  to  flight  from  Clifton  and 
Penrith  by  his  Royal  Highness  William  Duke  of  Cumberland  after  a  short 
skirmish  nigh  Clifton  Moor,  which  began  at  4  in  y"  afternoon  of  Wednesday 
y""  18  Dec'  1745.  Rebell  Prisoners  taken  by  y*"  Tent'  of  Penrith  and  y 
neighbourhood  were  upwards  of  80." 


CHAPTER  XI 

CHURCH   LIBRARIES   AND   CHAINED   BOOKS 

CHURCH   LIBRARIES 

THE  destruction  or  dispersion  of  the  monastic  libraries,  as  a 
necessary  corollary  of  their  overthrow,  must  have  been 
acutely  felt  by  students  throughout  the  country.  By 
degrees  it  came  about,  after  the  country  had  settled  down  from 
their  overthrow,  that  libraries  were  here  and  there  re-established 
in  connection  with  parish  as  well  as  cathedral  churches. 

The  custom,  however,  of  keeping  books,  other  than  service  books, 
in  cathedral  and  parish  churches,  began  long  before  the  monasteries 
were  dissolved.  Belinus  Nansmoen,  a  Bristol  merchant,  left  by 
his  will  of  14 1 6  to  the  church  of  St.  Mary,  Redcliffe,  the  Sixth 
Book  of  the  Decretals,  and  the  Constitutions  of  Pope  Clement  V., 
to  be  shut  up  in  that  church,  so  that  the  vicar  and  chaplains  might 
study  them  when  they  pleased. 

Such  books  were  frequently  fastened  by  chains  for  security  in 
the  days  before  printing  had  begun  ;  thus  at  Salisbury  cathedral 
one  of  the  canons,  who  died  in  1452,  gave  some  books  to  the 
library,  in  two  of  which  occurs  a  memorandum  in  a  I5th-cent. 
hand  on  the  inside  of  the  cover,  to  the  effect  that  they  were  to  be 
chained  in  the  new  library. 

In  the  old  churchwardens'  account-book  of  All  Saints,  Derby, 
discovered  in  an  attic  at  Meynell  Langley  by  Dr.  Cox,  there  is  an 
entry  of  about  the  year  1525  giving  a  curious  list  of  chained 
books : — 

"  These  be  the  bokes  in  our  lady  chapell  tyed  with  chanes  y'  were 
gyffen  to  AUhaloes  Church  in  Derby — 

"  Imprimis,  one  boke  called  Summa  Summarum. 
"  Item.     A  boke  called  Summa  Roumundi. 
"  Item.     Anoyer  called  pupilla  oculi. 

331 


332        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

"  Item.  Anoyer  called  the  Sexte. 

"  Item.  A  boke  called  Hugucyon. 

"  Item.  A  boke  called  Vitas  Patrum. 

"  Item.  Anoyer  boke  called  Pauls  pistols. 

"  Item.  A  boke  called  Januensis  super  evangeliis  dominicalibus. 

*'  Item.  A  grette  portuose. 

"  Item.  Anoyer  boke  called  Legenda  Aurea." 

In  1537  the  Bible  in  the  vulgar  tongue  was  ordered  to  be  placed 
in  the  churches  for  the  perusal  of  the  people.  An  ancient  desk 
and  chain  in  the  library  of  Lincoln  cathedral  is  probably  one  which 
was  used  for  that  purpose.  When  Erasmus  was  visiting  England 
he  saw  in  the  nave  of  Canterbury  cathedral  some  books  fixed  to 
the  pillars,  among  them  being  the  gospel  of  Nicodemus. 

Out  of  2000  volumes  in  the  library  of  Hereford  cathedral,  some 
1 500  are  chained  ;  this  is  probably  the  largest  collection  of  chained 
books  in  existence.  At  Wells  cathedral  the  library  was  at  one 
time  chained  ;  many  chains  still  hang  from  the  shelf,  although 
there  are  no  books  attached.  Two  of  the  oldest  chained  church 
libraries  are  those  of  Wimborne  and  Grantham,  the  latter  founded 
in  1598.  The  church  libraries  of  Cartmel  and  Langley  Marish 
were  established  in  the  first  half  of  the  17th  cent. ;  and  Humphrey 
Chetham  bequeathed  in  165 1  chained  collections  to  the  collegiate 
church  at  Manchester,  to  the  Lancashire  parish  church  of  Bolton- 
le-Moors,  and  to  the  chapels  of  Gorton,  Turton,  and  Walmsley. 
The  church  libraries  at  Manchester  and  Walmsley  have,  alas !  long 
since  disappeared. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  more  important  church  libraries 
placed  in  alphabetical  order  : — 

Aylesbury,  Bucks.     In  a  wainscote  press  in  the  north  transept  is  a  small 

collection  of  theological  books. 
Basingbourne,  Cambs.     A  library  in  the  tower  of  800  volumes,  chiefly 

theological,  was  bequeathed  by  Sir  Edward  Nightingale  in  17 17. 
Basingstoke,  Hants.     There  is  a  library,  chiefly  of  Puritan  theology,  in  the 

room  over  the  porch. 
Bath,  Abbey  Church.     In   the  vestry  a  library  of  about   300   volumes, 

chiefly  folios  ;  founded  towards  the  end  of  the  reign  of  James  I. 
Beccles,  Suff"olk.     The  old  church  library  in  the  room  over  the  porch  was, 

in  1840,  after  many  of  the  books  had  been  lost,  handed  over  to  the 

public  library. 
Beverley,  St.  Mary's,  E.  R.  Yorks.     In   the  north  transept  was  a  small 


CHURCH    LIBRARIES  333 

library  chiefly  of  theological  folios.  A  visitor  in  1852  found  them 
most  dilapidated,  stating  that,  "the  fires  in  the  church  had  been 
usually  lighted  from  this  literary  source  for  some  time."  A  second 
visit  in  1865  proved  that  the  library  was  reduced  to  one  book,  a  copy 
of  the  Hexapley.  At  the  present  moment  we  believe  that  there  is 
nought  but  the  catalogue. 

Bolton-le-Moors,  Lanes.  The  chained  books  left  to  this  church  by  Hum- 
phrey Chetham  in  1651  are  now  deposited  in  the  Grammar  School 
library. 

Boston,  Lines.  Archbishop  Laud  on  his  visitation  in  1635  ordered  that 
the  room  over  the  porch  was  to  be  repaired  and  decently  fitted  up  as 
a  library.  The  books  gradually  disappeared,  and  in  1856  only  the 
catalogue  was  left. 

Bridgenorth  St.  Mary,  Salop.  In  the  vestry  a  library  of  800  volumes, 
chiefly  divinity,  founded  by  Dean  Stackhouse  in  1743. 

Bromham,  Beds.  This  small  library  was  founded  by  Lord  Trevor  in 
1740,  "for  the  use  of  the  Ministers  of  the  Parish  of  Bromham,"  as 
stated  on  a  slab  let  into  the  outside  wall. 

Broughton,  Hunts.     In  this  church  there  is  a  small  library. 

Bury  St.  Edmunds,  St.  James,  Suffolk.  A  valuable  library  was  founded 
in  this  church  in  1595.  In  1847  the  contents,  consisting  of  4  old 
MSS.  and  475  printed  books,  were  removed  to  the  Guildhall. 

Cartmel,  Lanes.  This  church  has  one  of  the  oldest  parochial  church 
libraries  of  post-Reformation  date.  It  was,  at  all  events,  founded 
before  1629,  for  under  date  July  14th  of  that  year  is  the  following 
entry  in  the  churchwardens'  accounts : — "  It  is  ordered  and  agreed 
upon  that  the  Churchwardens  seate  in  the  body  of  the  churche  shall  be 
enlarged  both  in  the  wideness  and  in  the  deske  that  the  bookes  given 
unto  the  churche  may  be  more  convenientlie  laid  and  chained  to 
remaine  there  according  to  the  directions  of  the  donors."  The 
greater  part  of  the  present  library  was  added  by  Thomas  Preston, 
who,  by  will  of  1692,  bequeathed  the  books  that  were  formerly  his 
father's  to  Cartmel  church,  "to  be  placed  in  the  new  vestry  there." 
The  library  consists  of  nearly  300  volumes,  including  some  rarities  in 
general  literature.  There  is  one  volume  of  i5th.-cent.  date  (149 1), 
and  many  of  the  i6th  cent. 

Castleton,  Derbs.  In  the  vestry  a  library  of  about  1000  volumes  left  to 
the  parish  by  a  former  vicar,  the  Rev.  F.  Farran,  who  died  in  181 7. 
A  large  proportion  are  old-fashioned  books  of  divinity.  The  "  lions  " 
of  the  library  are  two  early  copies  of  the  English  version  of  the  Bible, 
1539  and  1611. 

Chelmsford,  Essex.  The  remains  of  a  good  theological  library  bequeathed 
by  Dr.  Kingsbridge  for  the  use  of  the  town  and  neighbourhood  are  in 
a  room  over  the  south  porch. 


334        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Chirbury,  Salop.  A  chained  library  of  i8o  volumes,  dating  from  1530  to 
1684.  Originally  all  chained,  now  chains  on  iic.  Removed  to 
parish  schoolroom. 

Christchurch,  Hants.     There  is  a  library  of  about  100  chained  volumes. 

Finedon,  Northants.  In  the  parvise  over  the  porch  is  a  library  of  about 
1000  volumes,  given  to  the  church  in  1788  by  Sir  J.  E.  Dolben,  Bart. 

Grantham,  Lines.  A  library  occupies  a  small  room  over  the  south  porch. 
It  was  founded  in  1598  by  Rev.  Francis  Trigg,  rector  of  Wellbourn. 
There  are  three  wall  book-cases,  each  6  feet  long  and  6  feet  high. 
Seventy-four  of  the  books  are  chained.  Another  library  given  to  the 
church  by  Dr.  Newcome,  dean  of  Rochester  in  the  17th  cent,  is  now 
kept  at  the  west  end  of  the  south  aisle. 

Henley-on-Thames,  Bucks.  Library  in  vestry  bequeathed  by  Dean  Aldrich, 
rector  of  Henley,  who  died  1737. 

Hereford,  All  Saints.  A  library  of  about  200  chained  volumes  of  old 
divinity  is  in  the  vestry.  Blades,  in  his  Books  in  Chains^  tells  of 
an  Oxford  Street  bookseller  purchasing  these  about  1850  of  the 
churchwardens  for  ;^ioo.  After  they  had  reached  London,  and  were 
about  to  pass  into  the  hands  of  an  American  dealer,  some  local  feeling 
was  fortunately  aroused,  and  after  much  trouble  they  were  re-bought 
and  restored  to  the  church. 

King's  Lynn,  St.  Margaret's,  Norfolk.  This  library  includes  a  mutilated 
black-letter  copy  of  the  Sarum  Missal,  as  well  as  many  fine  copies  of 
the  Fathers. 

Langley  Marish,  Bucks.  On  the  south  side  of  the  church  is  a  small  room 
built  in  1623,  to  accommodate  a  large  library  given  by  Sir  John 
Kidderminster,  "  as  well  for  the  perpetual  benefit  of  the  vicar  and 
curate  of  the  parish  of  Langley  as  for  all  other  ministers  and  preachers 
of  God's  Word  that  would  resort  thither  to  make  use  of  the  books 
therein."  The  cupboards  and  general  fittings  and  adornments  of  this 
room  are  admirable  of  their  kind,  and  have  been  preserved  unaltered. 

Manchester  cathedral.  Humphrey  Chetham  in  1651  left  202  chained 
books  to  be  kept  in  the  Jesus  Chapel  of  the  collegiate  church.  Their 
disappearance,  says  Mr.  Chancellor  Christie,  is  one  of  the  most 
discreditable  chapters  in  the  history  of  Wardens  and  Fellows. 

Melton  Mowbray,  Leics.  There  is  a  library  in  the  north  transept  aisle  of 
this  church. 

More,  Salop.  Library  of  250  volumes,  chiefly  1 6th-  and  i7th-cent.  theology, 
kept  in  tower.  Presented  in  1684  by  Richard  More,  of  Linley,  with 
the  object  of  "  teaching  the  minister  sound  doctrine." 

Newark,  Notts.  At  the  parish  church  there  is  a  library  of  theological 
books,  founded  by  Bishop  White,  of  Peterborough,  about  1690. 

Nantwich,  Chester.  In  this  church  library  are  preserved  many  old  books, 
of  which  the   following    are   the    most   noteworthy :   (i)    A   Sarum 


CHURCH    LIBRARIES  335 

Missal,  printed  1533,  with  emendations  and  erasures  made  by  Henry 
VIII. 's  commissioners;  (2)  Exposition  of  the  Sarum  Hymns  and 
Sequences,  two  volumes  bound  in  one,  Wynkyn  de  Worde,  1502,  the 
only  known  copy  of  so  early  a  date  ;  and  (3)  Eikon  Basilike,  1648. 

Northampton,  All  Saints.  Large  library  in  vestry,  contains  a  black-letter 
Chaucer,  1542.  The  majority  of  the  books  were  left  by  Dr.  Crane, 
prebendary  of  Westminster,  at  the  close  of  the  i8th  cent. 

North  Denchworth,  Berks.  Library  over  church  porch;  in  1693  the 
chained  books  numbered  100.  When  the  church  was  restored  in 
1852  the  library  was  taken  to  the  vicarage,  and  the  chains  removed 
save  in  a  few  cases.  Of  the  original  library  only  two  or  three  books 
remain,  namely,  a  Cranmer's  Bible,  four  volumes  of  Aquinas,  one  of 
Ancient  Homilies,  Burnet  on  the  Articles,  given  by  the  author,  and  a 
Life  of  Christ,  by  Ludolphus  Saxo,  which  once  belonged  to  Bishop 
Juxon,  with  chain  attached.  It  used  to  contain  the  Golden  Legend 
(Caxton,  1483) ;  this  volume  was  sold  in  1843  ^^  ^^^  Bodleian. 

Oakham,  Rutland.  Library  of  some  200  volumes,  early  17th  cent.,  left 
by  Lady  Harrington, 

Salford,  Lanes.  Humphrey  Oldfield,  by  will  of  1684,  left  his  theological 
books  to  be  placed  in  the  chancel,  together  with  three  pounds  for  the 
woodwork  and  chains  that  they  might  not  be  stolen.  After  many  were 
lost,  the  remnant  of  72  volumes  were  removed  to  the  Salford  Free 
Library. 

Shipdham,  Norfolk.  There  is  an  old  library  in  the  room  over  the  south 
porch,  which  contains  some  great  rarities,  such  as  "  the  floure  of  the 
commandments,"  printed  by  Wynkyn  de  Worde,  1509.  The  most 
valuable  volumes  are  kept  at  the  adjacent  rectory. 

Skipton,  W.  R.  Yorks.  This  large  church  library,  founded  by  Silvester 
Petit  (1640-1719)^  was  removed  in  1880  to  the  Grammar  School. 

Sutton  St.  Mary,  Lines.     There  is  a  library  in  the  parvis  of  the  church. 

Swaffham,  Norfolk.  A  valuable  library  of  about  400  volumes  in  the  priest's 
chamber  over  the  vestry.  The  greatest  rarity  is  a  version  of  the 
Vulgate,  printed  in  1483,  an  edition  which  is  neither  in  the  British 
Museum  nor  in  the  Bodleian.  There  is  also  a  book  of  illuminated 
Hours,  c.  1420,  and  a  valuable  parish  church  chartulary  called  the 
Black  Book  of  Swaffham. 

Tong,  Salop.  Library  of  between  400  and  500  volumes,  chiefly  i7th-cent. 
theology,  kept  in  vestry.  Given  by  Lord  Pierrepoint  for  the  use  of 
the  minister. 

Totnes,  Devon.  Library  established  in  1566;  contains  folio  editions  of 
some  of  the  Fathers. 

Turton^  Lanes.  Here  is  an  oak  case  with  shelves  and  folding  doors,  fitted 
with  two  iron  bars,  to  which  are  chained  the  books  presented  by 
Humphry  Chetham  in  1651. 


336        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Walmsley,  Lanes.  The  chained  library  bequeathed  to  this  chapel  by 
Humphry  Chetham  in  1651  has  long  since  disappeared. 

Warwick,  St.  Mary.     Library  in  vestry. 

Wimborne  Minster^  Dorset.  This  famous  chained  library  of  about 
240  volumes  is  in  a  room  over  the  vestry;  they  belong  chiefly  to  the 
17th  cent.  The  chains  are  made  of  rod-iron  bent  into  a  figure  of 
eight ;  each  chain  is  about  3  feet  long,  and  has  at  one  end  a  ring 
which  runs  along  an  iron  rod,  and  permits  of  the  book  being  moved 
some  little  distance. 

Yarmouth,  Norfolk.  In  this  great  church  there  is  a  library  of  about 
320  volumes,  including  a  copy  of  Cranmer's  Bible,  a  Missal,  a 
Hebrew  MS.  roll  of  the  Book  of  Esther,  and  Mathew  Paris'  history, 
157 1.  In  the  church  in  connection  with  this  library  is  an  old 
revolving  reading-desk,  most  ingeniously  contrived  to  arrange  the 
works  of  reference  the  reader  may  require,  and  to  bring  them  before 
him  by  giving  the  desk  a  turn.  It  has  six  shelves,  each  about  4  feet 
long,  and  is  so  cleverly  arranged  that  the  shelves  maintain  severally 
one  angle  whilst  the  framework  revolves. 

Among  other  church  libraries,  not  specified  in  the  above  list,  the 
following  may  also  be  mentioned  : — 

Halifax,  W.  R.  Yorks. ;  Brent  Eleigh,  Suffolk ;  Sutton  Courteney,  Berks. ; 
St.  Peter's-in-the-East,  Oxford;  St.  Peter's^  Maldon,  Essex;  and 
Gillingham,  Dorset. 

There  are  also  several  instances  in  which  libraries  have  been 
bequeathed  as  heirlooms  to  parsonage  houses  ;  as  at  Whitchurch 
and  Middle,  Salop.,  and  Stanground,  Hunts. 


CHAINED  BOOKS 

It  has  been  generally  supposed  that  the  first  idea  of  chaining 
books  in  a  church  originated  with  the  order  made  by  Henry  VIII. 
in  1537  as  to  the  placing  of  Bibles  in  churches  for  parishioners  to 
read  at  their  pleasure  ;  but  this  is  far  from  being  the  case.  Various 
long  wills  prior  to  the  Reformation  prove  the  early  use  of  this 
custom.  William  Lyndwood,  bishop  of  St.  Davids,  author  of  the 
Provinciale,  by  will  of  1443  directed  that  a  chained  copy  of  his 
book  should  be  kept  in  the  upper  part  of  St.  Stephen's  chapel, 
Westminster,  to  serve  as  a  standard  for  future  editions. 

Sir  Thomas  Lyttleton  made  the  following  bequest  in  his  will 
of  148 1  :— 


CHAINED    BOOKS  ZZJ 

"I  will  and  bequeth  to  the  Abbot  and  Convent  of  Hales-Oweyn  a 
book  of  myne  called  Catholicon  to  theyr  own  use  for  ever,  and  another 
boke  of  mine  wherein  is  contaigned  the  '  Constitutions  Provincial '  and 
*  De  Gestis  Romanorum '  and  other  treaties  therein,  which  I  will  be  laid 
and  bounded  with  an  yron  chayn  at  my  costes,  so  that  all  priests  and  others 
may  se  and  rede  when  it  plesith  theym." 

Thomas,  Earl  of  Ormond,  left  the  following  directions  by  will 
ofisis:— 

"  I  will  my  sawter  boke,  covered  with  whyte  lether  and  my  name 
written  with  mye  owne  hande  in  the  ende  of  same  shall  be  fixed  with  a 
cheyne  of  iron  at  my  tombe,  ther  to  remain  for  the  service  of  God." 

There  can  be  little  doubt  that  this  was  a  psalter  in  the  vulgar. 
He  was  buried  in  the  church  of  St.  Thomas  Aeon  on  the  north 
side  of  the  high  altar. 

The  practice  of  chaining  single  books  in  churches  received 
a  great  impetus  by  the  injunction  of  Edward  VI.  in  1547,  ordering 
each  parish  to  "provide  within  three  moneths  one  Boke  of  the 
whole  Bible  of  largest  volume  in  English,  and  within  one  twelve- 
month the  Paraphrasis  of  Erasmus,  the  same  to  be  sette  upp  in 
some  convenient  place  within  the  churche.'*  This  injunction  was 
repeated  in  1559,  and  although  neither  of  these  orders  made 
mention  of  chains  it  seems  probable  that  the  churchwardens  in 
general  would  adopt  this  means  of  protecting  their  property.  We 
know  that  this  was  a  fact  in  very  many  cases,  not  only  from  books 
that  remain,  but  from  the  evidence  of  certain  extant  churchwarden 
accounts.  Thus  in  the  accounts  of  Wigtoft,  Lanes.,  under  1549, 
occurs  the  entry,  "  payd  for  a  chayne  for  ye  paraphrases  A^T 

Archbishop  Parker  required  Jewel's  Defence  of  the  Apology 
to  be  placed  in  the  churches,  and  Archbishop  Bancroft  ordered 
that  Jewel's  collected  works  (edit.  1609,  161 1)  should  be  similarly 
placed  in  addition  to  Erasmus'  paraphrase. 

Another  work  which  was — unfortunately  so  far  as  historic  truth 
is  concerned — commonly  placed  in  churches  in  the  i6th  cent,  was 
Fox's  Book  of  Martyrs. 

The  following  is  a  much  longer  list  than  any  hitherto  compiled 
of  old  books,  chained  or  otherwise,  which  are  now  to  be  found  in 
parish   churches,  either  singly  or  in  small  groups.*      The  latest 

♦  A  considerable  number  of  these  are  taken  from  Blades'  valuable  work  entitled 
Books  in  Chains  J  published  in  1890. 
Z 


S3S        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

instance  of  chaining  a  book  in  a  church  occurs  at  Grinton,  in  the 
year  1752. 

Abingdon,  Berks.     Bible  (161 1),  and  ten  others. 

Appleby,  Westmoreland.     Fox,  in  three  volumes. 

Arreton,  I.  of  Wight.     Fox. 

Ashton-under-Lyne,  Lanes.     A  black-letter  Bible,  originally  chained  to  a 

desk,  is  preserved  in  a  glass  case  in  this  church. 
Backford,  Chester.     A  chained  Bible  (16 17). 
Barchester,  Warwicks.     Erasmus,  and  two  others  with  chains. 
Barrowden,  Rutland.     Old  chained  books,  now  in  a  book-case  made  out  of 

a  Jacobean  pulpit. 
Barthomley,  Chester.     Four  chained  books,  somewhat  vaguely  described  as 

Zives  of  the  Saints. 
Baschurch,  Salop.     Chained  Bible. 
Bledington^  Warwicks.     Black-letter  Bible. 
Borden,  Kent.     Fox. 
Bowness-in- Windermere,    Westmoreland.      Erasmus,   Jewel    (1609),    and 

Homilies. 
Breadsall,  Derbs.     On  an  old  double  reading-desk,  with  folding  Uds,  that 

can  be  fastened  by  a  single  padlock  on  the  top,  are  four  volumes  on 

each  side,  all  secured  with  chains,  namely.  Jewel  (1609);  Burnet's 

Refor7nation,  2  vols.  (1679  and  1681);  Cave's  Fathers  of  the  Church  ; 

Cave's    Antiquitates    Apostolicce    {i6d>/^) ;    Cave's    Primitive   Fathers 

(1687);    Cases   to  recover  Dissenters  (1694);    and  Josephus'    Works 

(1702). 
BridHngton,  Yorks.     Jewel  (16 11)  and  three  others. 
Bristol,  St.  Mary's  RedclifFe.      Desk  for  chained  Bible. 
Bromsgrove,  Worcs.     Jewel  (1609);  chained  to  desk. 
East  Budleigh,  Devon.     Jewel,  Bible  (1634),  Fox  (1684). 
Bunbury,  Chester.     Chained  book. 
Canterbury  cathedral.     Chained  Bible. 

Cavendish,  Suffolk.     Jewel  and  Homilies ;  chained  to  a  double  desk. 
Chedworth,  Glos.     Chained  Jewel. 

Chelsea,  Middlesex.     Fox  (1601),  and  four  others,  all  chained. 
Chew  Magna,  Somerset.     Jewel  (1560). 
Cirencester,  Glos.     Desk  for  chained  books. 
Cublington,  Bucks.     A  chained  volume  of  Fox  in  the  rectory ;  formerly  in 

the  church. 
Cumnor,  Berks.     Bible  (161 1). 
Darfield,  Staffs.     Two  chained  books  of  HomiHes. 
Dronfield,  Derbs.     Jewel  (1569);   chain   attached   to  cover.     Five  folio 

volumes  of  Poole's  Synopsis  Criticorum  (1674). 
East  Leake,  Notts.     The  Dipper  Dipped  (1607),  chained. 


CHAINED    BOOKS  339 

East  Winch,  Norfolk.     Bible  (t6ii). 

Egginton,  Derbs.     Erasmus  ;  traces  of  chain. 

Fairford,  Glos.     Lectern  with  chained  early  edition  of  Calvin's  Institutes 

and  Whole  Duty  of  Man  (1725). 
Frampton  Cotterell,  Glos.     Chained  Jewel  (imperfect)  on  old  lectern. 
Geddington,  Northants.     Jewel,  161 1,  chain  attached. 
Great  Chart,  Kent.     Fox. 
Great  Doddington,  Northants.      Three  chained  books — Homilies  (1676), 

Bible  (16 1 3),  and  Erasmus. 
Great  Durnford,  Wilts.     Jewel. 
Grinton,  N.  R.  Yorks.    Burkitt  on  the  New  Testament,  chained.    "  For  the 

use  of  the  inhabitants  of  Grinton  1752." 
Hamstall-Ridware.     Chain  for  the  Bible. 
Hatfield,  Yorks.     Jewel,  chained. 
Hill  Morton,  Wilts,     Chained  Bible. 
Hodnet,  Salop.     Chained  books  on  a  Jacobean  stand. 
Impington,  Cambs.     Several  damaged  chained  books,  including  three  folios 

of  Fox. 
Kettering,  Northants.     Chains  and  covers  of  two  books. 
Kidderminster,  Worcs.     Jewel. 

Kingsthorpe,   Northants.      Fine   chained  books,   all   given    by    Edward 
Mottershed,  who  died  1643.      They  are  Erasmus  (1547),  Jewel  (1609), 
and  three  volumes  of  Fox  (1641). 
Kinver,  Staffs.     Desk,  7  feet  long.     Fox  (1583),  Jewel  (1609),  and  two 

others. 
Kings  Teignton,  Devon.     Fox,  and  other  books. 
Kingston,  Somerset.     Bible  (16 17),  on  a  stand. 
Kirklington,  N.  R.  Yorks.     Dean    Comber's    Companion   to   the   Temple^ 

chained. 
Leigh,  Lanes.     Two  chained  volumes,  Cases  to  recover  dissenters  (1685). 
Lessingham,  Norfolk.     Fox,  imperfect. 
Leyland,  Lanes.     Fox,  Jewel,  and  two  others,  chained. 
Lingfield,  Surrey.     Bible  and  Jewel,  chained  on  a  double  desk. 
Little  Petherick,  Cornwall.     Fox,  in  three  volumes ;  chained. 
London,  All  Hallows,  Lombard  Street.     Erasmus,   2  vols.   (1548,   1552), 

Bible  (1613). 
London,  St.  Andrew  Undershaft.     Erasmus,  Fox  (1596),  Jewel  (161 1), 

Sir  Walter  Raleigh's  History  of  the  World  (1621). 
London,  St.  Clement's,  Eastcheap.     Pearson  On  the  Creed^  and  Comber's 

Companiofi  to  the  Temple. 
Luton,  Beds.     Bible,  and  Fox. 

Lyme  Regis,  Dorset.     Chained  Bible  and  Prayer-book  (1637). 
Great  Malvern,  Worcs.     Comber's  Companion  to  the  Temple. 
Mansetter,  Warwicks.     Erasmus,  Fox,  and  Jewel. 


340        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Munslow,  Salop.     Chained  Bible. 

Northampton,   St.  Giles.      Two   chained  books— Calvin's  Isaiah  (1609), 

Homilies  (1676). 
Newport  Pagnell,  Bucks.     Jewel  and  Fox ;  chained. 
Quatt,  Salop.     Fox  (not  now  chained). 
Ramsey,  Hunts.     Chained  books. 

Rochester,  St.  Nicholas,  Kent.     A  Collection  of  Cases  (17 17). 
Shirland,  Derbs.     Jewel  (1609). 
Shorwell,  I.  of  Wight.     Chained  Bible  (1541). 
Sittingbourne,  Kent.     Fox. 

Southampton,  St.  Michael's,  Hants.     Fox,  Bible,  and  two  Commentaries. 
Stratford-on-Avon,  Warwicks.     Bible  (161 1). 
Tavistock,  Devon.     Erasmus  (1548),  Jewel  (1560). 
St.  Teath,  Cornwall.     Fox  in  three  folio  volumes. 
Tilstock,  Salop.     Two  volumes  of  Fox,  now  in  vestry. 
Towcester,  Northants.     Chained  Bibles,  Homilies,  and  Fox. 
Ubley,  Somerset.     Chained  Erasmus  (1522). 
Upton  Magna,  Salop.     Jewel,  chained. 

Walgrave,  Northants.     Bible  (161 1),  and  Homilies  (1676);  both  chained. 
Whitchurch,  Salop.     Fox  (1566),  chained. 
Wiggenhall,  Norfolk.     Bible,  Fox,  Jewel,  and   Homilies,  chained  to   a 

wooden  desk. 
Wolverley,  Worcs.     Jewel. 
Wootton   Wawen,  Warwicks.     Calvin's   Listiiutes   (1573),   Jewel   (161 1), 

Andrew's  Sermons  (1632),  and  nine  other  volumes,  all  chained  to  a 

curiously  planned  desk  in  the  church.     These  books  were  given  by 

George  Dunscombe,  vicar,  who  died  in  1652. 
Worcester,  All  Saints.     Bible  (1603). 

Wrington,  Somerset.     Bible  (1617),  Fox,  Jewel,  and  two  others. 
York  Minster.     Bible  (1611). 
York,  St.  Crux  (removed  to  All  Saints).     Jewel,  on  an  old  lectern. 


CHAPTER  XII 
CHURCH   EMBROIDERY 

OF  the  immense  wealth  of  embroidered  vestments  and  hangings 
possessed  by  the  English  churches  at  the  time  of  the  Refor- 
mation we  have  ample  evidence  in  the  inventories  of  that 
epoch.  Unfortunately  almost  the  whole  of  it  has  disappeared  ; 
much  of  it  found  its  way  to  the  melting-pot  for  the  sake  of  the 
precious  metals  contained  in  the  gold  and  silver  thread  which  was 
lavishly  used ;  much  more  passed  into  private  possession,  and  has 
since  perished  ;  only  about  a  hundred  specimens  remain  in  England 
in  a  more  or  less  mutilated  condition,  though  there  is  reason  to 
believe  that  more  than  have  been  yet  recognized  are  to  be  found 
in  the  treasuries  of  churches  in  France,  Spain,  and  Italy,  where 
English  embroidery  was  always  valued,  and  where  a  good  deal  was 
imported  at  the  time  of  the  Reformation.  A  flattering  if  undesir- 
able testimony  to  the  value  attached  to  it  on  the  Continent  is  to  be 
found  in  the  action  of  Pope  Innocent  IV.,  as  related  by  Matthew 
Paris.  According  to  his  account,  the  Pope,  having  seen  and 
admired  the  robes  of  certain  English  ecclesiastics  embroidered  in 
gold  thread,  ascertained  that  they  were  worked  in  England,  and 
sent  briefs  to  nearly  all  the  Cistercian  abbots  in  that  country 
requesting  them  to  have  forthwith  forwarded  to  him  their  em- 
broideries in  gold,  which  he  preferred  to  all  others — as  if,  says 
Matthew,  these  objects  cost  them  nothing. 

The  reputation  of  the  English  needlework  dated  from  very 
early  in  the  Saxon  period,  and  its  excellence  seems  to  have  been 
maintained  through  the  whole  of  the  middle  ages ;  the  extreme 
richness  and  beauty  of  the  later  work  is  perhaps  better  exemplified 
by  such  paintings  as  those  at  Ranworth  and  Southwold,  and  by 
some  of  the  monumental  effigies  and  brasses,  than  by  the  mutilated 
and  worn  fragments  now  surviving. 

The  art  of  embroidery  was  one  of  the  most  important  subjects 

341 


342        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

of  instruction  in  the  mediaeval  convents ;  and  not  only  was  its 
production  a  business  or  profession,  but  it  was  the  favourite  pursuit 
— almost  the  only  accomplishment — of  the  ladies  of  the  Saxon  and 
Anglo-Norman  laity.  There  were,  moreover,  schools,  apart  from 
the  nunneries,  for  its  teaching  ;  one  such  is  known  to  have  existed 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  monastery  of  Ely,  perhaps  as  early  as 
the  7th  cent. 

As  an  art  embroidery  ranked  in  dignity  with  sculpture  and 
painting  ;  during  the  earlier  half  of  the  period  it  was  certainly  in 
advance  of  either  sculpture  or  decorative  painting,  and  fully  abreast 
of  the  contemporary  miniature  painting ;  probably  at  no  time 
during  the  whole  epoch  did  painting  attain  anything  like  the 
technical  perfection  reached  by  the  embroiderer. 

English  embroidery  became  so  celebrated  as  to  be  known  at 
an  early  date  as  Opus  Anglicanuni.  Matilda,  the  wife  of  the 
Conqueror,  left  by  her  will  to  the  abbey  of  her  foundation  at  Caen 
a  chasuble  worked  at  Winchester  by  the  wife  of  one  Alderet, 
together  with  a  cope  worked  in  gold  and  another  vestment,  all  of 
English  workmanship.  From  that  date  down  to  the  i6th  cent,  the 
references  to  costly  ecclesiastical  as  well  as  secular  embroidery  are 
constant  in  historical  documents  and  rolls.  It  is  doubtful  whether 
any  of  the  great  churches  of  the  Continent  were  as  lavishly  supplied 
with  costly  vestments  and  hangings  as  was  the  case  with  English 
minsters.  At  Lincoln  they  numbered  upwards  of  six  hundred, 
wrought  with  an  infinite  variety  of  embroidery,  and  sprinkled  with 
gold  and  precious  stones,  on  the  most  costly  of  textile  fabrics. 
There  was  hardly  a  village  church  of  England,  however  humble 
and  remote,  the  value  of  whose  vestments  did  not  far  exceed  the 
average  inconie  of  the  beneficed  clergy. 

The  Liberate  and  Issue  Rolls  give  some  idea  of  the  exceeding 
costliness  of  the  richer  of  these  works  of^art.  In  1241  Henry  III. 
paid  £2df  \s.  6d.  to  Adam  de  Basinges  for  an  embroidered  cope  of 
red  silk  for  the  Bishop  of  Hereford,  and  ;^I7  to  the  same  artificer 
for  two  embroidered  chasubles  for  the  royal  chapel.  In  13 17 
Queen  Isabella  paid  100  marks  to  Rose,  wife  of  John  de  Bureford, 
citizen  of  London,  for  an  embroidered  cope  to  be  presented  to  the 
Pope.  John,  Bishop  of  Marseilles,  in  his  will  of  1345,  made  a 
special  bequest  of  his  albe  that  was  wrought  with  "English 
orfrais."  Cardinal  Talairand,  a  little  later  in  the  same  century, 
described  the  English  embroideries  on  a  costly  set  of  vestments ; 


CHURCH    EMBROIDERY 


343 


i*: 


and  a  bishop  of  Tourraine  of  the  same  period  bequeathed  to  his 
cathedral  a  beautiful  cope  of  Opus  Anglicanuni. 

Three  of  the  best  continental  examples  of  the  world-famous 
English  embroidery  now  extant  are  the  copes  of  the  church  of 
Pienza,  North  Italy ;  of  Daroca  college,  in  Aragon,  now  preserved, 
in  the  Archaeological  Museum  at  Madrid  ;  and  that  of  Bologna, 
now  in  the  museum  of  that  town,  and 
which  is  said  to  have  come  from  the 
church  of  San  Giacomo.  They  are  all 
magnificently  embroidered  with  scrip- 
tural or  legendary  subjects  ;  the  date 
of  the  first  is  about  1 300,  and  the  two 
others  are  somewhat  later  in  the  14th 
cent. 

The  pieces  of  embroidery  now  re- 
maining very  frequently  take  the  form 
of  pulpit  cloths,  altar  cloths,  and  altar 
frontals.  Some  few  of  the  altar 
frontals,  as  in  the  case  of  the  pair  at 
Chipping  Campden,  may  retain  their 
original  form  ;  but  most  of  them,  and 
all  the  members  of  the  two  other 
groups,  are  made  up  from  vestments, 
usually,  if  not  invariably,  copes.  A 
considerable  number  of  copes  remain 
unaltered,  and  in  addition  there  are 
preserved  some  three  chasubles,  several 
palls,  two  burses  of  painted  linen,  and 
a  few  fragments  of  uncertain  origin. 
The  more  extensive  preservation  of 
copes  may  be  due  to  the  fact  that 
they  were  not  Eucharistic  vestments, 
and  so  were  retained  for  a  time  in  the 

reformed  ritual  of  the  English  Church,  their  use  gradually  dying 
out.  At  Durham  cathedral,  where  the  use  of  the  cope  lasted  till 
a  date  late  in  the  i8th  cent.,  no  fewer  than  four  old  copes 
are  preserved. 

The  earliest  pieces  of  needlework  now  preserved  are  the  loth- 
cent.  stole  and  maniple  at  Durham,  removed  from  St.  Cuthbert's 
shrine  in  1827.     They  were  originally  worked  for  Frithstan,  who 


JONAS   THE   PROPHET  : 
BISHOP   FRITHSTAN's   STOLE 


344        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

was  Bishop  of  Winchester  from  909  to  93 1  ;  they  were  presented 
to  St.  Cuthbert's  shrine  by  King  Athelstan,  when  he  worshipped 
there,  soon  after  Frithstan's  death.  These  still  beautiful  examples 
of  early  English  embroidery,  together  with  some  fragments  of  silk 
vestments  from  the  same  shrine,  are  admirably  described  and  fully 
illustrated  by  Dean  Kitchin  in  Victoria  History  of  County  Durham, 
i.  241-249. 

Of  the  Norman  period  nothing  is  known  to  exist,  but  of  13th- 
cent.  work  is  the  very  valuable  "  Syon  "  cope,  now  to  be  seen  at 
the  Victoria  and  Albert  Museum.  It  belonged  to  the  nuns  of 
Syon  monastery,  Isleworth,  but  is  said  to  have  been  worked  by 
nuns  of  a  convent  near  Coventry  (probably  Nun  Eaton)  in  the 
second  half  of  the  13th  cent.  Examples  of  the  14th  cent,  are  more 
numerous,  and  include  some  of  the  Durham  copes  and  the  two 
chasubles  preserved  at  Madeley.  Perhaps  still  more  of  the  re- 
maining examples  belong  to  the  next  century  and  one  or  two  to 
the  1 6th  cent. ;  the  last  of  our  series,  an  altar  cloth  at  Biddenham, 
being  as  late  as  c,  1 540. 

The  usual  ground  was  velvet,  but  damask  was  also  employed  ; 
the  work  was  not  embroidered  directly  on  to  the  background — at 
least  in  the  case  of  velvet — but  was  done  on  canvas,  and  then  cut 
out  and  stitched  on  to  the  ground  {opus  consuetuni).  The  stitch 
employed  was  the  feather-stitch  {opus  plumarium),  but  the  chain- 
stitch,  worked  in  circles,  was  also  employed,  especially  for  the  flesh 
tints.  The  copes  were  adorned  with  orphreys  or  strips  embroidered 
in  gold  with  figures  of  saints  in  niches,  and  in  some  of  the  most 
costly,  as  in  the  case  of  one  of  the  Carlisle  copes,  the  whole  fabric 
was  cloth  of  gold. 

In  addition  to  those  mentioned  below  as  yet  extant  in  different 
churches,  there  is  a  considerable  selection  of  English  ecclesiastical 
embroidery  at  South  Kensington  from  the  13th  to  the  i6th  cents., 
consisting  of  chasubles,  copes,  altar  frontals,  and  detached  orphreys, 
many  of  them  of  recent  acquisition.  They  are  fully  described  in 
the  Tapestry  and  Embroidery  Catalogue  issued  in  1888,  and  in  its 
several  continuations. 

Several  of  the  city  companies  possess  valuable  and  beautifully 
embroidered  funeral  palls  or  hearsecloths  of  pre-Reformation  date  : 
Fishmongers'  Company,  14th  cent. ;  Merchant  Taylors',  Saddlers', 
Vintners',  and  others,  1 5th  cent.  They  are  of  an  elaborate  character  ; 
the  late  I5th-cent  pall  belonging  to  the  Brewers'  consists  of  a  central 


CHURCH    EMBROIDERY  345 

panel  of  rich  cloth  of  gold  with  side  and  end  flaps  of  embroidered 
velvet.  The  embroidery  represents  the  Assumption  of  the  Blessed 
Virgin,  between  the  arms  of  the  archbishoprick  of  Canterbury  and 
the  Brewers'  arms ;  the  whole  is  powdered  with  ears  of  barley. 
Although  not  deposited  in  churches,  these  palls  are  mentioned  in 
this  place,  for  they  were  of  course  solely  for  Church  use  at  the 
time  of  burial. 

There  are  also  a  few  pieces  of  Early  English  embroidery  in 
churches  of  this  country  under  the  Roman  obedience.  Stoney- 
hurst,  for  instance,  claims  to  have  one  of  the  old  Westminster  copes, 
and  in  the  chapel  at  Wardour  Castle,  Wilts.,  there  is  a  beautiful 
cope  as  well  as  two  altar  frontals  from  the  same  abbey. 

At  Hard  wick  Hall,  Derbs.,  there  are  two  large  pieces  of 
mediaeval  embroidery  which  were  used  for  a  long  time  as  coverings 
for  the  altar  rails  in  the  chapel ;  they  are  composed  of  the  hoods 
and  orphreys  of  a  large  number  of  copes  as  well  as  of  parts  of  one 
or  two  chasubles.  They  were  exhibited  by  Dr.  Cox  before  the 
Society  of  Antiquaries  in  June,  1887.* 

A  List  of  pre-Reformation  Examples  in  English  Churches 

Alveley,  Salop.  Altar  frontal  of  alternate  stripes  of  crimson  and  cream  in 
rich  woven  silk,  powdered  with  embroidered  lilies  and  pomegranates. 
In  centre  are  "  figures  of  faithful  departed  awaiting  in  the  bosom  of 
Abraham,  their  final  reconciliation,  while  round  them  flame-winged 
cherubim  sing  their  eternal  song  of  praise." 

Barley,  Kent.     Altar  cloth  trimmed  with  cope  orphreys. 

Baunton,  Glos.  A  remarkable  i5th-cent.  altar  frontal ;  is  made  of  alternate 
stripes  of  red  and  yellow  silk,  powdered  with  double-headed  eagles. 
In  the  centre  is  an  applied  representation  of  the  Rood,  with  St.  Mary 
and  St.  John.  Below  is  a  most  curious  rebus.  An  eagle  rising  grips 
by  the  back  a  white  ass  j  below  the  ass  is  a  golden  barrel  or  tun,  from 
the  bung-hole  of  which  issues  two  seeded  or  flowering  branches.  The 
most  likely  solution  of  this  rebus  is  that  it  stands  for  the  name  of 
the  donor,  one  John  As(h)burton ;  the  eagle  standing  for  John,  and 
the  plant  growing  out  of  the  tun  being  intended  for  burs,  or  the  bur 
plant. 

Biddenham,  Beds.     Altar  frontal ;  1541. 

Great  Bircham,  Norfolk.     Ancient  cope  of  crimson  velvet  woven  with  gold. 

*  A  fairly  good  book  was  published  by  Mr.  Hartshorne  on  English  Mediaval 
Embroidery.  The  subject  has,  however,  been  more  fully  discussed  and  illustrated  by 
F.  and  H.  Marshall  in  Old  English  Embroidery  ;  its  Technic  and  Symbolism^  1894. 


346        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

St.  Briavell's,  Glos.     Pre-Reformation  altar  frontal. 

Buckland,  Glos.     Cope;  15th  cent. 

Careby,  Lines.     Altar  frontal  from  red  velvet  i5th-cent.  cope. 

Carlisle  cathedral.  Three  ancient  copes;  one  with  richly  embroidered 
orphreys,  15th  cent.;  two  cloth  of  gold,  i6th  cent. 

Catworth,  Hunts.  Five  cushions  covered  with  portions  of  an  old  14th- 
cent.  cope. 

Chapel  Allerton,  Somerset.  Frontal  from  an  old  cope,  now  in  Taunton 
Museum. 

Chedzoy,  Somerset.     Altar  frontal  from  cope. 

Chipping  Campden,  Glos.  A  red  velvet  cope,  powdered  with  gold  stars 
and  crowns ;  the  orphrey  has  eight  saints  under  canopies  with  twisted 
shafts;  late  14th  or  early  15th  cent.  A  pair  of  altar  frontals,  c. 
1500,  of  rich  white  silk  damask;  the  nether  frontal  to  hang  in  front 
of  the  altar,  and  the  upper  frontal  to  hang  behind  the  altar  as  a  reredos. 
Both  are  powdered  with  gold  water-flowers,  whilst  the  former  has  a 
representation  of  the  Annunciation  and  the  latter  of  the  Assumption. 
No  other  complete  ancient  pair  of  English  altar  frontals  is  known. 

Cirencester,  Glos.     Pulpit  cloth  formed  from  i5th-cent.  cope. 

Cogenhoe,  Northants.     Fragment  with  Tudor  roses. 

Compton  Verney,  Warwicks.     Stole;    14th  cent. 

Corby  Castle,  Cumberland.     Cope. 

Culmstock,  Devon.     Altar  frontal  and  cope. 

Little  Dean,  Glos.  Hearse  cloth  or  pall  formed  from  a  pair  of  late  15  th- 
cent.  tunicles. 

Drayton,  Norfolk.  Altar  cloth  of  fragments  of  cope  orphreys  (recently 
stolen). 

Dunstable,  Beds.  A  hearse  cloth  or  pall,  c.  15 15,  which  belonged  to 
the  fraternity  of  John  Baptist  at  Dunstable ;  the  centre  panel  is  of  red 
cloth  of  gold,  whilst  the  flaps  of  purple  velvet  are  richly  embroidered. 

Durham  cathedral.  Five  copes — (i)  a  magnificent  blue  cloth  of  gold; 
(2)  purple  velvet ;  (3)  red  velvet ;  (4)  blue  velvet ;  (5)  crimson  satin. 
The  last  of  these,  with  the  beheadal  of  Goliath,  was  presented  by 
Charles  L 

Ely  cathedral.     Cope  of  green  velvet;  14th  cent. 

Forest  Hill,  Oxon.     Cope. 

Hessett,  Suffolk.  Corporas  case  on  painted  or  stained  linen.  On  the 
obverse  is  the  vernicle  within  a  quatrefoil^  with  the  Evangelistic 
symbols  in  the  spandrels,  all  within  a  twisted  border,  originally  red 
and  gold.  On  the  reverse  is  the  Holy  Lamb,  all  within  a  quatrefoil, 
enclosed  by  a  similar  twisted  border.     Late  14th  cent. 

Hullavington,  Wilts.     An  elaborately  embroidered  chasuble. 

Kettleston,  Norfolk.     Fragment  of  vestment* 

Kinnersley,  Herefords.     Fragment  of  vestment. 


CHURCH    EMBROIDERY  347 

East  Langdon,  Kent.  This  little  church  possesses  the  interesting  fragment 
of  a  richly  ornamented  velvet  cope  of  the  second  half  of  the  15  th 
cent.,  which  for  a  long  time  was  used  as  a  pulpit  hanging.  The 
principal  ornament  of  the  cope  is  an  elaborate  representation  of  the 
Annunciation.  This  grand  fragment  of  mediaeval  work  is  well  described 
and  illustrated  in  the  eleventh  volume  of  Archceologia  Cantlana. 

Lyme  Regis,  Dorset.  Fifteenth-cent,  tapestry  against  west  wall ;  marriage 
of  Henry  Tudor  and  Elizabeth  of  York. 

Lutterworth,  Leics.     Fragment  of  vestment. 

Lyng,  Norfolk.  Altar  cloth,  6  feet  9  inches  by  3  feet  8  inches,  formed 
from  two  i5th-cent.  copes  and  a  chasuble. 

Madeley,  Salop.     Two  chasubles ;   14th  cent. 

Minsterworth,  Glos.     Altar  frontal  made  from  a  cope, 

Mottisfont,  Hants.     Altar  frontal. 

Newnham,  Glos.     Altar  cloth  from  i4th-cent.  vestment. 

Northleach,  Glos.     Altar  frontal  formed  of  two  copes. 

Norwich,  St.  Gregory.     Pall  and  altar  frontal. 

Norwich,  St.  James.     Altar  frontal  of  cope  orphreys. 

Ottery,  Somerset.     Cope;   15th  cent. 

Oxney,  Kent.     Pulpit  cloth  from  cope. 

Peterborough,  St.  John  Baptist.  Large  cushion  of  velvet  and  orphreys  of 
an  old  cope. 

Pilton,  Somerset.     Pulpit  cloth  from  cope. 

Romsey,  Hants.     Altar  frontal ;   15th  cent. 

Salisbury  cathedral.     Chasuble;  1 6th  cent. 

Salisbury,  St.  Thomas.     Altar  frontal  of  cope  orphreys. 

Skenfrith,  Mons.     Cope. 

Sleaford,  Lines.     Altar  frontal. 

Steeple  Aston,  Oxon.  Two  large  portions  of  a  cope,  which  originally 
formed  a  magnificent  white  silk  cope  of  Opus  Anglicanum.  It  has 
been  cut  up  to  form  a  desk  cloth  and  altar  frontal  respectively.  Early 
14th  cent. 

Stoulton,  Worcs.     Altar  frontal  from  i4th-cent.  cope. 

Sutton  Benger,  Wilts.  Desk  hanging ;  made  up  of  ten  strips  of  embroidery 
sewn  side  by  side,  with  figures  of  apostles,  saints,  and  prophets  under 
canopies.  The  figures  belong  to  two  sets  of  twelve  each,  which  again 
contained  two  sets  of  three.  This  suggests  that  they  originally  formed 
the  orphreys  to  a  pair  of  tunicles  for  a  deacon  and  sub-deacon.  They 
were  probably  made  up  into  their  present  form  in  Elizabethan  or  early 
Stuart  times. 

Tedburn,  Devon.     A  blue  velvet  cope  ;  late  14th  cent. 

Tong,  Salop.     Altar  frontal. 

Wantage,  Community  of  St.  Mary  the  Virgin.  Pall  or  desk  cloth ;  made 
out  of  one  or  more   i5th-cent.  copes  of  blue  velvet,  powdered  with 


348        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

water-flowers,   formerly  belonging  to,  and   in  use  in,  the  church  of 

Emneth,  Norfolk. 
Winchcombe,   Glos.      Altar   cover   formed   of   two   vestments;    now   at 

Sudeley  Castle. 
Wool^  Dorset.     Velvet  pulpit-cloth  formed  from  cope,  now  in  Dorchester 

Museum. 
Worcester  cathedral.     Cope,  c.  1236;  fragment  of  cope,  13th  cent.  J 

Wymondham,  Norfolk.     Corporas  case  of  "steyned"  linen  with   shields  ' 

of  arms. 
York,  St.  Mary  Bishop  Hill.     Cope. 


PIECE  OF  STEEPLE  ASTON   FRONTAL 


Although  the  embroiderers'  art  died  out  in  England  v^^ith  the 
Reformation,  and  has  only  been  resumed  for  church  purposes  in 
comparatively  recent  years,  there  are  a  fev^  instances  of  decently 
worked  church  hangings  of  the  intermediate  period.  The  following 
seem  worthy  of  particular  mention  : — 


Aid  worth,  Berks.     Green  cloth  altar  cover,  worked  with  date  1703,  and 

churchwardens'  initials. 
Arne,  Dorset.     A  curious  linen  cloth  given  by  Wake,  rector  of  the  mother 

church  of  Wareham,  in  1661,  wrought  in  silk,  with  inscriptions  as  to 

the  attributes  of  the  Trinity. 
Anstey,  Herts.     Altar  frontal — large  plum-coloured  velvet  frontal,  probably 


CHURCH    EMBROIDERY  349 

made  to  cover  the  top  and  sides  as  well  as  the  front  of  a  very  small 

altar.     Large  oval  medallion  worked  upon  the  frontal  in  green  and 

gold,  the  purple  colour  of  the  frontal  forming  the  background.     The 

T  TT  S   . 
medallion  is  surrounded  by  rays,  and  has    '  ^ ' — -  in  the  centre. 

1637 

Bacton,  Herefords.  Altar  cloth  of  white  silk  shot  with  gold,  beautifully 
embroidered  with  fruit,  foliage,  and  figures.  Presented  by  Mistress 
Blanche  Parry,  Maid  of  Honour  to  Queen  Elizabeth. 

West  Barsham,  Norfolk.  Linen  cloth  used  at  Holy  Communion;  date 
1637. 

Bitton,  Glos.     Altar  frontal — plain   blue  cloth  intended  for   one  of  the 
small  altars  of  the  period,  to  cover  the  top  and  some  part  of  the  sides. 
In  the  centre  I.  H.  S.  surmounted  by  a  cross  with  three  nails  and  a 
heart  is  worked  in  white  silk  below.     Round  the  edge  (which  is  not 
fringed)  is  worked  in  simple  capital  letters  in  white  silk  : — "  The 
gift  :  of  :  John  :  Seymour  :  the  :  church  :  Bitton  :  in  :  the  :  county 
of  :  Gloucester  :  for  :  the  :  communion  :  table  :  in  :  remembrance 
of  :  his  :  dear  :  Graidfather  :  Sr  :  John  :  Seymour  :  who  :  died 
&  :  was  :  interred  in  :  Ye  :  middle  :  of  :  this  :  holy  :  square."     The 
Seymour  crest  is  worked  in  white  and  gold  in  each  corner. 

Bourne  St.  Mary,  Hants.  An  old  altar  cloth  of  the  year  1687,  with  the 
date  and  the  churchwardens'  initials  embroidered  on  the  super  frontal, 
is  preserved  in  a  glass  case  in  this  church. 

Cheswardine^  Salop.     Funeral  pall,  gold  and  silver  tinsel  letters;  1770. 

Cogenhoe,  Northants.     Remains  of  Elizabethan  altar  frontal. 

Hollingbourne,  Kent.  Embroidered  velvet  coverings  for  the  altar  and  the 
pulpit  desk,  wrought  by  the  Ladies  Culpepper  during  the  Common- 
wealth, and  presented  at  the  Restoration. 

Mattingley,  Hants.  In  this  church  is  preserved  a  once  handsome  altar 
cloth  of  gold-fringed  crimson  velvet,  with  good  embroidered  designs 
and  the  date  '^  Anno  domini  1667." 

Norwich,  St.  Peter  Mancroft.     Tapestry  near  the  font,  dated  1573. 

Portsmouth,  Parish  Church.  The  crimson  velvet  altar  cover,  together  with 
a  pulpit-cloth,  was  given  by  Thos.  Ridge  in  1693,  and  has  been  in 
use  ever  since.  The  altar  cover  is  embroidered  in  gold  thread  with 
the  sacred  monogram  in  a  wreath  of  branches  together  with  the 
date. 

Shalden,  Hants.  A  pulpit  cloth,  date  1655,  worked  in  yellow  on  dark 
green  cloth. 

Trusley,  Derbs.  Altar  cover  of  blue  cloth  embroidered  with  arms  and 
crest  of  William  Coke ;  worked  by  his  wife  Catherine,  and  her  four 
daughters,  Catherine,  Suzanna,  Mary,  and  Frances,  whose  initials 
appear  on  the  cloth.  It  was  first  used  at  the  reopening  of  the  church 
in  1 7 13.     Fragments  of  this  cloth  are  now  framed  in  the  vestry. 


350        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Westminster  Abbey.     Several  copes,  temp.  James  II. 

Weston  Favell,  Northants.     Altar   cover   representing   the   Last   Supper, 

worked  in  1698  by  Jane,  wife  of  Sir  John  Holman,  Bart. 
Whickham,  Durham.     Altar  cloth  with  impaled  arms  and  crests  of  Bowes 

and  Blakiston^  and  initials  E.  B.,  referring  to  Dame  Elizabeth  Bowes, 

the  heiress  of  Gibside,  who  died  1736. 
Whiston,  Northants.    Altar  cover  dated  1704^  with  initials  M.  P.,  for  Hon. 

Mary  Paget,  who  worked  it. 


I 


CHAPTER  XIII 

ROYAL  ARMS— TEN   COMMANDMENTS 
ROYAL  ARMS 

IT  IS  generally  assumed  that  royal  arms  in  churches  were  not  to 
be  found  in  pre-Reformation  days.  This  was  probably  the 
case  as  far  as  special  tablets  or  frames  were  concerned  ;  but 
it  is  well  known  that  they  frequently  occurred  in  stained  glass,  and 
even  occasionally  on  priestly  vestments  and  altar  frontals.  Although 
their  use  became  prominent  and  emphatic  in  England  at  the  time 
of  the  Reformation,  there  is  no  necessity  for  associating  their 
occurrences  with  reformed  principles.  The  royal  arms  of  Spain 
frequently  occur  at  the  present  day  in  the  churches  of  that  country, 
and  sometimes  even  over  altars ;  and  until  within  the  last  year  or 
two  the  royal  arms  of  the  House  of  Savoy  might  be  seen  at  the 
west  end  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church  in  Sardinia  Street, 
London. 

There  is  no  known  order  of  Henry  VI 1 1,  as  to  his  arms  in 
places  for  divine  worship  ;  but  immediately  on  his  death  in  1547 
those  who  were  in  sympathy  with  further  reform,  knowing  the 
views  of  the  Protector  and  the  rest  of  the  Council,  of  the  boy-king 
Edward  VI.,  took  immediate  action  in  this  as  in  other  directions  : — 

"  The  curate  and  church  wardens  of  St.  Martin's  in  Ironmonger  Lane, 
in  London,  took  down  the  images  and  pictures  of  the  saints  and  the 
crucifix  out  of  their  church  and  painted  many  texts  of  Scripture  on  the 
walls  and  in  the  place  where  the  crucifix  was  they  set  up  the  King's 
Arms  with  some  texts  of  Scripture  about  it ;  upon  this  the  Bishop  and 
Lord  Mayor  of  London  complained  to  the  council.  And  the  curate  and 
churchwardens  being  incited  to  appear  answered  for  themselves.  ...  In 
conclusion  they  said,  what  they  had  done  was  with  a  good  intention,  and 
if  they  had  in  anything  done  amiss,  they  asked  pardon  and  submitted 
themselves."  * 

♦  Burnet's  History  of  the  Reformation,  ii.  13. 
351 


352        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

The  crucifix  named  in  this  quotation  would  undoubtedly  mean 
the  Rood  over  the  screen.  The  "  Injunctions "  of  Edward  VI. 
make  no  mention  of  the  royal  arms ;  but  it  is  known  that  in  a  few 
cases  up  and  down  the  country  the  young  king's  arms  were  set  up. 
The  churchwardens'  accounts  for  both  Long  Melford  and  for 
Wangford,  Suffolk,  for  1547-48  contain  payments  for  painting  up 
the  king's  arms.  At  St.  Dunstan's-in-the-East,  in  1550,  "a  small 
hanging  of  red  and  blew  sarsanet  with  the  Kynges  Arms"  was 
purchased.  The  inventory  of  Wix  church,  Essex,  for  1552  mention 
"a  cloth  stayned  and  wrytte  with  the  Scriptures,  the  Kings 
Majesties  Arms  in  the  middle,  which  cloth  is  hanging  upon  the 
Candellbeam."  There  are  like  entries  in  the  inventories  of  several 
other  Essex  churches  of  the  same  date. 

In  the  reign  of  Elizabeth  the  custom  of  placing  the  royal  arms 
in  a  prominent  position  in  the  churches  considerably  increased.  It 
is  known  that  in  the  defacing  of  the  Roods,  particularly  where  it 
was  painted  on  the  tympanum  of  the  chancel  arch,  the  Queen's 
arms  not  infrequently  took  its  place.  Instances  of  this  are  named 
under  screens. 

The  arms  of  Elizabeth  remain  in  the  church  of  Beckington, 
Wilts.,  with  the  date  1574  and  "God  save  the  Queen."  They  may 
also  be  seen  in  the  church  of  Basingstoke,  Hants,  in  beautifully 
ornamented  borders,  with  the  year  1576,  and  at  Greens  Norton, 
Northants,  with  "E.R.,  1592."  They  also  occur,  undated,  over  the 
screen  of  Ludham,  Norfolk,  with  Vivat  Regina  Elizabetha, 

The  arms  of  James  I.  are  still  to  be  found  in  a  few  churches, 
as  at  Blisland,  Cornwall,  1604,  and  at  Winsford,  Somerset,  1609. 
Beneath  the  arms  in  the  latter  case  appear  the  following  texts  : — 

"  I  advertise  thee  to  observe  the  mouth  of  ye  king  and  that  for 
ye  word  of  the  oathe  of  God."  To  this  is  appended  the  better- 
known  text  from  Eccles.  x.  20,  beginning,  "  Curse  not  the  king." 

There  are  but  very  few  cases  in  which  the  arms  of  Charles  I. 
remain  in  our  churches,  for  they  were  generally  pulled  down  and 
destroyed  during  the  Commonwealth.  Suffolk  affords  two  instances, 
Mellis,  1634,  and  Ashbocking,  1640  ;  in  the  former  case  the  arms 
are  in  excellent  preservation.  At  St.  Feock,  Cornwall,  the  royal 
arms  are  dated  1638. 

The  following  license,  granted  by  Archbishop  Abbot  in  the 
time  of  Charles  I.,  and  entered  in  his  register,  is  worth  citing 
in  full :— 


ROYAL   ARMS  353 

"  George  by  the  providence  of  God,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  etc., 
To  our  wellbeloved  in  Christ  Thomas  Hanbage,  paynterstayner,  sendeth 
greetinge  in  our  Lord  God  everlastinge.  Forasmuch  as  wee  are  given  to 
understand  by  certificate  under  the  handes  of  diverse  men  of  the  Arte, 
trade  or  mysterie  of  Paynterstayners  of  London,  that  you  are  a  man  of 
honest  life  and  of  civill  carriage  and  behaviour,  and  that  as  well  for  your  care 
and  diligence  as  for  your  knowledge  and  experience  in  the  said  Art,  Trade 
or  mysterie  of  a  Paynterstayner,  you  are  able  to  form  and  complete  any 
worke  you  shall  undertake  in  that  kind.  And  whereas  there  ought  to  be 
had  an  especiall  care  that  all  churches  and  chapells  within  this  Kingdome 
of  England  be  beautified  and  adorned  with  Godly  sentences  and  more 
especially  with  his  Majesties  Armes  and  the  Tenne  Commandments,  yett 
in  some  places  the  same  is  altogether  neglected,  and  in  other  places 
suffered  to  be  defaced.  We,  therefore,  as  much  as  is  in  us,  duely  weighing 
the  premisses,  and  having  a  care  for  the  redresse  thereof,  doe  hereby  give 
you  the  sayd  Thomas  Hanbage,  leave,  license,  and  authority  to  go  and 
take  a  review  of  the  ruines  of  the  parish  Churches  within  my  diocese  of 
Canterbury,  and  in  and  through  all  the  peculiar  jurisdictions  of  us  and  of 
our  cathedrall  and  Metropolitan  Church  of  Canterbury,  and  after  a  view  so 
had  to  shew  yourself  ready  and  willing  to  paynte  his  Majesties  Armes  with 
the  Tenne  Commandments  and  other  holy  sentences  upon  some  eminent 
places  within  the  Chauncells  or  Bodyes  of  the  sayd  churches,  where  now 
they  are  wantinge,  and  where  those  Armes  be  defaced,  in  colours  or 
otherwise,  that  for  the  better  adorninge  of  the  said  Churches  the  same  be 
beautified  with  Helmett,  Crest,  and  Mantle,  as  in  most  Churches  of 
England  the  same  are  now  adorned,  you  takinge  for  your  paynes  and 
honest  and  reasonable  allowance,  wishing  hereby  all  Persons,  Vicars, 
Curats,  Churchwardens,  Sidemen,  and  all  other  officers  of  the  severall 
Churches  aforesaid,  that  they  to  their  best  powers  give  you  admittance  as 
is  fit  in  the  performance  of  the  premisses.  In  witness  whereof  Wee  have 
caused  the  Scale  of  our  office  (w"''  wee  use  in  this  behalf)  to  bee  putt  to 
these  presentes.  Dated  24  Oct.  1631,  and  in  the  21'''  yeare  of  oure 
Translation." 

At  the  Restoration  of  the  monarchy  the  placing  of  the  royal 
arms  in  churches  became  for  the  first  time  compulsory.  In  the 
parish  registers  of  Warrington,  Lanes.,  an  entry  relative  to  the 
laying  of  a  church  rate  under  date  July  30,  1660,  thus  begins — 

"Whereas  it  is  generally  enjoined  by  the  Great  Counsell  of  England, 
that  in  all  churches  thorowout  the  Kingdom  of  England  his  Majesties  arms 
shallbe  sett  upp.  .  .  ." 

At  North  Walsham,  Norfolk,  the   royal  arms  of  Charles  XL, 
2  A 


354        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

dated  1660,  are  palimpsest ;  they  bear  on  the  back  the  arms  of  the 
Commonwealth. 

A  fair  number  of  the  arms  of  Charles  II.  may  still  be  found  in 
the  churches  of  many  parts  of  the  country ;  where  they  are 
undated,  as  at  Gimingham  and  West  Harling,  Norfolk,  and 
Catesby,  Northants,  it  may  generally  be  assumed  that  they  are  of 
the  year  1660-61. 

It  is  always  of  interest  to  note  the  occurrence  of  the  royal  arms 
in  the  churches  of  any  particular  district,  for  these  trophies  of 
successive  reigns  are  at  the  least  noteworthy,  and  their  abolition  or 
destruction  is  one  of  the  many  sorry  notes  of  the  restorations 
of  last  century.  These  arms  have  been  noted  in  but  five  of  a 
large  group  of  North  Devonshire  churches,  between  Bideford, 
Hartland,  and  Torrington.  At  Frithelstock  the  royal  arms  are 
executed  on  a  large  scale  in  plaster,  and  bear  the  date  1677  ;  they 
are  against  the  north  wall  of  the  nave,  and  look  somewhat  absurd 
under  a  coat  or  wash  of  dull  grey  colour.  At  Milton  Damerel  the 
arms,  also  in  plaster,  are  over  the  north  door  of  the  aisle  ;  they 
are  dated  1664.  The  royal  arms  are  also  handsomely  executed  in 
plaster  in  Langton  church  ;  they  are  on  the  north  wall,  so  as  to  be 
readily  observed  by  those  entering  by  the  main  entrance.  There 
is  no  date,  but  the  initials  are  G.  R.,  and  they  pertain  to  George  I. 
The  probable  date  is  17 14  or  171 5,  when  a  special  effort  was  made 
to  secure  the  Hanoverian  arms  being  placed  in  all  churches,  as 
there  had  been  much  quiet  resistance  to  them  on  the  part  of 
incumbents  of  Jacobite  tendencies.  The  arms  at  West  Putford 
are  also  opposite  the  south  entrance,  and  bear  the  date  17 14.  The 
arms  at  Lancross  are  now  at  the  west  end  of  the  church,  but 
they  also  used  ^o  be  against  the  north  wall  ;  they  are  of  the 
year  173 1. 

The  loyal  county  of  Cornwall  used  to  be  noted  for  the  large 
number  of  elaborate  royal  arms,  mostly  of  Restoration  date.  The 
large  majority  of  these  have  been  cleared  away  by  the  deplorable 
lack  of  taste  and  lack  of  appreciation  of  historic  continuity  shown 
during  the  last  half  century.  We  have  only  noticed  three  examples 
of  that  date  out  of  forty  churches  in  North- East  Cornwall.  Over 
the  south  door  of  the  church  of  St.  Kew  are  the  royal  arms  most 
effectively  executed  in  plaster,  dated  C.  R.,  1661,  with  the  unusual 
motto  below  of  "  God  save  the  King."  At  St.  Minver  the  royal 
arms  are  well  painted,  and  bear  the  date  1660;  they  hang  against 


ROYAL    ARMS  355 

the  south  wall.  At  St.  Merryn  the  royal  arms  in  plaster,  with  the 
date  1660,  have  been  moved  to  the  north  wall  of  the  tower,  and 
are  in  a  much-begrimed  condition.  Blisland  has  the  rare  distinc- 
tion of  retaining  the  royal  arms  of  James  I.,  with  the  date  1604. 
At  St.  Breward  the  arms,  with  the  date  1700,  have  been  suffered 
to  remain. 

At  Lanteglos,  South  Cornwall,  there  is  a  highly  interesting 
rudely  painted  board  against  the  north  wall,  on  which  are  depicted 
the  national  emblems  of  rose,  thistle,  fleur-de-lis,  and  harp.  In 
the  south  aisle  of  the  same  church  there  are  the  painted  arms  of 
Charles  II.,-  with  the  date  1668. 

But   there   is   something    far    stranger    to    notice    in    Cornish 
churches  than  the  discarding  of  the  display  of  royal  arms.     Corn- 
wall distinguished  itself  at  the  outbreak  of  the  great  civil  strife  by 
its  self-sacrificing  devotion  to  the  cause  of  Charles  I.     The  King, 
touched    by   their   gallant   rally   to   his   person    and   government, 
addressed  a  special  letter  of  thanks,  dated  September  loth,  1643, 
"  To  the  inhabitants  of  the  county  of  Cornwall,"  wherein  in  apt 
terms  he  commented  on  their  extraordinary  zeal,  and  desired  "  to 
publish  it  to  all  the  woiM,  and  perpetuate  to  all  time  the  memory 
of  their  merits."     It  was  ordered  that  this  letter  should  be  read  in 
all  churches  and  chapels  in  the  county,  and  a  copy  "to  be  kept  for 
ever  as  a  record  of  the  same."     Copies  of  the  letter,  painted  on 
white   wooden   tablets,   were  placed    in  every  church.     Doubtless 
some  would   be   removed  when    the    Commonwealth   gained   the 
ascendency,  and  where  Puritanism  was  rampant ;  but  less  than  a 
hundred  years  ago  the  majority  of  the  churches  had  this  notable 
historic  tablet  still  displayed.     Many  have  been  cast   out  during 
"  restoration,"  or  suffered  to  perish  within  memory,  as  at  St.  Sennen 
and  St.  Leven.     We  believe  this  letter  can  now  only  be  found  in 
about  a  dozen  of  the  churches  of  Cornwall.     It  exists  in  only  one 
of  the  forty  and  odd  churches  of  the  north-east  of  the  county — 
namely,  at  the  west  end  of  the  church  of  St.  Minver.     It  is  passing- 
strange  that  Cornishmen,  whatever  may  be  their  present  views  of 
that   great   national   struggle,    have    suffered    so   many   of   these 
remarkable   memorials   to    pass   into    oblivion    in    comparatively 
modern  days. 

At  St.  Michael's  Church,  St.  Albans,  are  the  arms  of  Charles 
II.,  "C.R.,  1660,"  painted  on  wood;  they  were  in  1901  under 
canvas  which  bore  the  arms  of  George  III. 


356        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 

Beneath  the  tower  of  the  church  of  Odiham,  Hants,  hang  the 
painted  arms  of  Charles  II.  with  "  C.  R."  and  the  Restoration  date 
1660 ;  they  are  arranged  within  the  Garter,  and  below  them  is  the 
exceptional  and  timely  motto  Beati  Pacifici.  At  Bramley,  in  the 
same  county,  the  arms  are  dated  1660. 

Dated  arms  of  Charles  II.  do  not  often  occur  late  in  the  reign, 
but  at  Normanton-on-Soar,  Notts.,  they  bear  the  year  1683,  and 
at  Screveton,  in  the  same  county,  1684. 


THE   TEN   COMMANDMENTS 

The  setting  up  of  the  Ten  Commandments  in  churches  as  a 
reminder  to  worshippers  of  the  duty  they  owed  to  God  and  their 
neighbour  was  not  unknown  in  the  mediaeval  Church  of  England, 
as.  is  testified  by  more  than  one  inventory  and  bequest ;  but  the 
general  custom  came  in  soon  after  Elizabeth's  accession,  in  con- 
sequence of  a  letter  from  the  Queen  to  the  commissioners  in  matters 
ecclesiastical,  in  1560,  complaining  of  the  desolate  and  unclean 
condition  of  many  of  the  churches.  They  were  ordered  to  see 
that  tables  of  the  Ten  Commandments  wei*C  set  up  in  the  churches, 
to  be  not  only  read  for  edification,  but  also  "  to  give  some  comely 
ornament  and  demonstration  that  the  same  was  a  place  of  religion 
and  prayer." 

There  are  one  or  two  examples  of  compliance  with  this  order 
still  extant.  In  the  Lady  chapel  of  Ludlow  church  there  is  a  board 
of  "The  X  commandemems  of  almighty  god,"  dated  1561,  and 
painted  after  a  much-abbreviated  fashion  in  black  letter  within  an 
ornamental  border. 

The  Norfolk  churches  of  Aylmorton,  Shipdham,  and  Gateley  also 
possess  Elizabethan  tables  of  the  Commandments  ;  in  the  last 
instance  this  table  was  formerly  on  the  tympanum  over  the  Rood 
screen. 

In  the  church  of  Lanteglos,  South  Cornwall,  against  the  north 
wall  are  the  Ten  Commandments  in  black  letter  within  a  large 
square  panel  of  wood  ;  the  initials  are  in  red,  and  the  whole  is 
surrounded  by  a  painted  border.  The  spelling  is  quaint ;  the  sixth 
commandment  reads,  "Doe  no  murther."  This  is  undated,  but 
doubtless  early  Elizabethan. 

In  the  chancel  of  Bengeworth,  Glos.,  is  a  table  of  the  Com- 
mandments with  the  letters  cut  in  boxwood  ;  it  is  dated  1591. 


THE    TEN    COMMANDMENTS  357 

At  Terrington  St.  Clement,  Norfolk,  there  is  the  Our  Father 
in  black  letter  in  the  north  transept,  dated  1635,  and  the  Creed  in 
the  south  transept. 

The  Commandments,  with  the  Our  Father  and  the  Creed,  of 
early  i/th-cent.  or  late  Elizabethan  date,  remain  painted  on  the 
walls  of  Wistantow,  Salop.,  in  ornamental  borders.  At  Ruyton,  in 
the  same  county,  the  Commandments,  in  black  letter,  are  dated 
1668. 

Slate  has  for  a  long  time  been  put  to  a  great  variety  of  uses  in 
North-East  Cornwall,  including  a  remarkable  variety  of  memorials 
in  churches,  with  effigies  and  much  ornament  in  low  relief.  In  the 
1 6th,  17th,  and  i8th  cents,  slate  was  used  for  the  Commandments. 
In  two  cases  "  restorers "  of  last  century  ejected  and  broke  up 
ornamental  slate  tables  of  Elizabethan  date.  At  the  west  end  of 
the  south  aisle  of  St.  Tudy  are  slate  tablets  inscribed  with  the 
Commandments  ;  they  are  well  lettered,  and  have  good  head  and 
tail  strips  of  ornament.  They  are,  of  some  age,  and  it  seems  a 
pity  that  they  were  displaced  during  restoration.  The  Command- 
ments on  slate  are  also  to  be  found  in  the  church  of  Michaelstow  ; 
in  that  instance  they  are  relegated  to  the  north  aisle. 


GENERAL   INDEX 


Abbey  Dore,  2,  6,  8,  93,  118 

Abbot,  Archbishop,  352 

Abbot  Mihon,  114 

Abbots  Langley,  202 

Abbots  Leigh,  202 

Abbotsham,  196,  269 

Abbotskerwell,  113 

Abbotsley,  119 

Abdon,  215 

Abergavenny,  8,  25,  26,  256,  260 

Holy  Trinity,  124 

St.  Mary,  124 
Abingdon,  13,  27,  329,  338 

Christ's  Hospital,  312 
Abyssinian  churches,  83 
A  ck  worth,  170,  174,  178 
Acle,  126,  177 
Acton,  262 
Acton  Burnell,  215 
Adderbury,  8,  27,  131 
Adderley,  132,  178,  215 
Addington,  274 
Addlethorpe,  123,  271 
Adel,  231 
Adisham,  204,  271 
/Elfric,  29 

Affpuddle,  149,  150,  197,  270 
Ainderby  Steeple,  174 
Ainsworthy,  John, 
Albury,  221,  237 
Alcombe,  235 
Alconbury,  64 
Aldborough,  150 
Aldbury,  81,  119, 
Aldeburgh,  280 
Aldenham,  119,  202,  247,  301 
Alderley,  188,  189 
Aldham,  280 
Aldingbourne,  223 
Aldington,  260 
Aldringham,  280 
Aldwark,  St.  Martin,  2 
Aldwinck,  St.  Peter,  174 
Aldworth,  70,  103,  264,  348 
Alfold,  139,  281 

Alford,  122,  123,  134,  135,  152,  221,  278 
Alfred,  King,  83 
Alfriston,  78 
Algarkirk,  64 
Allen,  Mr.  Rotnilly,   i66,   168,  201,  203, 

204,  209,  210,  213,  228,  229 


147 


214 


Allen's  History  of  Lambeth,  156 

Allerston,  230 

Allestree,  107,  108 

Almeries  or  Cupboards,  308-316 

Almondbury,  142,  231,  232 

Alms  Boxes,  240-243 

Alms  Dishes,  56-57 

Alne,  152,  229,  230 

Alnham,  170 

Alnwick,  297,  301 

Alpheton,  138 

Alphington,  113,  195,  196 

Aire  was,  218 

Alsop-en-le-Dale,  246 

Altars,  1-8 

Altar  and  Processional  Crosses,  53-54 

Altar  Candlesticks,  323-327 

Altar  Frontals,  343-350 

Altar  Rails,  17-20 

Altar  Reredoses,  20-27 

Altar  Tables,  8-17 

Altcar,  205 

Alternon,  106,  191,  192,  193,  267 

Altham,  205 

Althorp,  123 

Alton,  242 

Alvaston,  57 

Alveley,  345 

Alverscot,  8 

Alvington,  113 

Alwington,  269 

Amberley,  223 

Ambrosden,  214 

Amesbury,  140,  227 

Amotherby,  229,  230 

Ampleforth,  230 

Analysis  of  Gothic  Architecture,  Brandon's, 

223 
Ancaster,  123,  208 
Ancient  Coffers  and  Cupboards,  291 
Anciefit  Sculptures,  259 

Ancroft,  180 

Andre,  Mr.,  222 

Andrewes,  Bishop,  48 

Andrewes'  Sermons,  340 

Annaby,  208 

Anstey,  66,  202,  247,  260,  301,  348 

Antingham,  209,  210 

Antiquary,  the,  4,  51,  266 

Antony,  267 

Apethorpe,  129 

359 


;6o 


ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


Appleby,  2>1,  338 

Appledon,  204 

Appledore,  120 

Appledram,  139,  223 

AppIeton-le-Street,  229,  230 

ArchcBologia  Aeliafia,  251 

ArchcBologia  Cambrensis,  94 

Archceologia  Cantiana,  257 

ArckcBological  Journal,  163,  164,  169,  319, 

321 
Architectural  Sketch  Book,  288 
Ardingley,  139 
Ardin^on,  26,  186,  187 
Aidwick-on-Dearne,  231 
Argles,  Dr.,  252 
ArJesey,  26,  77,  186 
Arlington,  223 
Armenian  churches,  83 
Armitage,  218 
Arms,  Royal,  351-356 
Arne,  348 
Arnold,  76,  77 
Arnsby,  206 
Arreton,  14,  338 
Arrington,  64,  188,  264 
Art  Journal,  259 
Arundel,  i,  8,  91,  92,   139,  150,  223,  294, 

301 
Arundel,  Archbishop,  70 
Arundell  arms,  265 
Asgarby,  208 
Ashbocking,  301,  352 
Ashbourne,  38,  109,  195 
Ashburton,  113 
Ashbury,  51,  187,  301 
Ashby-cum-Ernby,  123 
Ashby-cum-Fenby,  208 
Ashby-Folville,  121,  206 
Ashby  St.  Ledger's,  128,  129,  286 
Ashchurch,  n6 
Ashe,  61,  118 
Ashendon,  77,  103 
Ashfield,  280 
Ashfield  Magna,  301 
Ashford,  204 
Ashfordby,  121,  271 
Ashington,  196 
Ashley,  84 

Ashmanhaugh,  126,  272,  273 
Ashover,  107,  109,  163,  194,  195 
Ashprington,  113,  196 
Ashstead,  222 

Ashton,  III,  112,  113,  149,  269,  275 
Ashton -under- Lyne,  338 
Ashurst,  204,  223 
Ashwell,  64 
Askerswell,  197 
Askew,  William,  180 
Aspatria,  194 
Aspenden,  242 
Astbury,  80,  105,  174,  189 
Asthall,  3  I 

Astley,  261  ! 

Astley  Abbots,  153  ! 


Aston,  8,  59,  195,  215,  231,  261 

Aston  arms,  182 

Aston  Cantlow,  150 

Aston  Ingham,  164 

Aston-le- Walls,  211 

Aston-on-Trent,  14 

Aston  Rowant,  8,  78,  214 

Aston  Somerville,  116 

Aston  Upthorpe,  186 

Astwood,  103,  187 

Aswardby,  123,  207,  208 

Athelington,  138,  280 

Athelstane,  251 

Atherington,  109,  ill,  113,  268,  269 

Athorne,  199 

Atkinson,  Mr.,  189 

Attleborough,  126,  301 

Atwick,  229 

Auckland,  64,  259 

Audlem,  176 

Aughton,  205 

Aunsby,  208 

Avebury,  225,  227 

Aveley,  116,  199 

Aveton  Gifford,  113 

Avington,  70,  186 

Awliscombe,  113 

Aycliff,  270 

Aylesbury,  103,  187,  259,  312,  332 

Aylestone,  121,  242,  271 

AylifFe,  4 

Aylmerton,  126,  273,  356 

Aylsham,  125,  126,  170,  210,  260,  288 

Aymestrey,  118 

Aysgarth,  142,  282 

Axbridge,  27,  216,  217 

Axminster,  113,  114 

Babbacombe,  37 

Babcary,  153 

Babingley,  126 

Babingon  arms,  107 

Backford,  338 

Back  well,  135 

Baconthorpe,  78,  136 

Bacton,  Herefords.,  33,  38,  349 

Bacton,  Norfolk,  33,  273 

Bacton,  Suffolk,  138,  280 

Badingham,  168,  169 

Bad les mere,  271 

Badley,  129,  138,  280 

Badsey,  150 

Bagborough,  217 

Bainton,  211,  22S,  229 

Bakewell,  107,  109,  195,  259 

Balderton,  129,  130,  213,  214,  275 

Baldock,  119,  202 

Balsham,  104,  259 

Baltonsborough,  70 

Bampton,  27,  75,  78,  112,  113,  260 

Bancroft,  Archbishop,  337 

Banham,  126 

Banner- Stave  Lockers,  317-319 

Banstead,  222 


GENERAL    INDEX 


361 


Banwell,  132,  135,  150,  217,  278 

Bapchild,  120 

Baptism  and  Christian  Arc hceo logy ^  160 

Barchester,  338 

Barcombe,  223 

Bardney,  8 

Baidney  Dun,  8 

Bard  well,  138 

Barham,  27 

Barking,  136,  138,  280,  288,  300 

Bark  way,  24 

Barley,  301,  345 

Barmston,  229 

Barnack,  129,  211,  252 

Barnard  Castle,  198 

Barnard ist on,  138,  158,  220,  280 

Barnborough,  142 

Barnby,  142,  242,  318,  319 

Barnby-in-the-Willows,  274,  275 

Barnetby-le-Wold,  123,  164,  207,  208 

Barnham,  223 

Barnham  Broom,  126 

Barningham,  33,  138,  280 

Barnoldby,  208 

Barnwell,  188 

Barrett,  Mr.  C.  R.  B.,  137 

Barrington,  188,  314 

Barrow,  Derby,  70 

Barrow,  Salop.,  242 

Barrow,  Suffolk,  138,  170,  220,  280 

Barrowby,  207,  208 

Barrowden,  338 

Barrow-on-Humber,  123 

Barrow-on-Soar,  301 

Barrow-on-the-Hill,  206 

Barsham,  138,  220 

Barthomley,  189,  338 

Bartlow,  64,  188 

Barton,  Cambs.,  104 

Barton,  Notts.,  66,  214 

Barton  Bendish,  126 

Barton  Blount,  195 

Barton-in-Fabis,  152 

Barton-le-Clay,  264 

Barton-le-Street,  18,  61,  229 

Barton  Mills,  280,  301 

Barton-on-Humber,  123 

Barton-on-the-Heath,  236 

Barton  Pidsea,  229 

Barton  St.  David,  278 

Barton  Stacey,  118 

Barton  Turf,  125,  126,  272,  273 

Bar  wick,  150 

Baschurch,  338 

Basing,  201 

Basingbourne,  332 

Basingstoke,  89,  242,  332,  352 

Basingstoke,  the  Vine  Chapel,  259,  312 

Bassingbourne,  104 

Batcombe,  114 

Bath  Abbey,  217,  332 

Batley,  231 

Battle,  223,  233 

Battleden,  186 


Battlefield,  24 

Baucis  and  Philemon^  287 

Baulking,  62,  84 

Baunton,  345 

Baxter,  Richard,  154 

Beachamwell,  33 

Beapul,  John,  109 

Beaudesert,  139 

Beaumont  arms,  268 

Bebington,  189 

Beccles,  332 

Beck  arms,  107 

Beck,  Bishop,  55 

Beckenham,  247 

Beckermet,  6 

Beckingham,  213 

Beckington,  227,  352 

Beckley,  158,  237 

Bedale,  3,  8,  142 

Beddingham,  223 

Beddington,  138,  139,  150,  221,  261 

Bede,  the  Venerable,  7,  251 

Bedfield,  138 

Bedford,  St.  Mary's,  70 

Bedford,  St.  Paul's,  103,  148,  186,  259 

Bedingfield,  34,  280 

Bedingham,  126 

Beeby,  93,  121 

Beedon,  186 

Beeford,  35 

Beeley,  121,  206 

Beer  Ferrers,  113 

Beesby,  77 

Beeston,  149,  214,  301 

Beeston-next-Mileham,  33 

Bfeeston-next-Sea,  126 

Beeston  Regis,  33,  126 

Beeston  St.  Mary,  273 

Beetham,  162,  225,  281 

Beighton,  8,  33 

Belaugh,  125,  126,  209,  210 

Belbroughton,  228 

Belchamp,  309 

Belgrave,  206,  256,  260 

Belper,  2,  8  ^ 

Belton,  121,  131,  136,  138,  158,  207,  208, 

215 

Bempton,  229 

Benacre,  220 

Benches,  261-282 

Benefield,  257,  260 

Bengeworth,  3,  356 

Bennet-Goldney,  F.S.A.,  Mr.,  251 

Benniworih,  122,  123 

Benskin  arms,  57 

Bensly,  Dr.,  24 

Bentley,  200,  280 

Bentworth,  62,  178,  201,  271,  301 

Bere  Ferrers,  196 

Bere  Regis,  197,  270 

Berkeley,  1 1 6,  200 

Berkhamsted,  1 19,  272 

Berkswell,  1 39 

Berrington,  215 


;62 


ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


Berry  narbor,  113,  196 

Berry  Pomeroy,  93,  113 

Berwick,  34,  139,  223 

Berwick  Basselt,  140 

Berwick  St.  James,  31,  34 

Berwick  St.  John,  150 

Besford,  141 

Bessingby,  228,  229 

Bessingham,  126 

Bettws-y-Crwyn,  131,  132 

Bettwys  Newydd,  124 

Beverley,  22,  27,  46,   142,  150,  229,  251, 

252,  256-259,  261 
Beverley  "  Fridstool,"  the,  251 
Beverley,  St.  Mary's,   142,   178,  228,  229, 

261,  332 
Beverstone,  116 
Bexley,  260 
Bicester,  150 
Bickenhill,  139,  292,  301 
Bicker,  123 
Bickley,  70 

Bicknoller,  61,  135,  278 
Biddenden,  35,  120,  204 
Biddenham,  264,  344,  345 
Biddestone,  216,  217,  227 
Biddulph,  217,  218 
Bideford,  no,  113,  195,  196,  268 
Bigbury,  80,  149,  197 
Biggleswade,  259 
Bighton,  200 

Bignor,  100,  139,  222,  223 
Bildeston,  261 
Billericay,  270 
Billesdon,  206 
Billingford,  126,  138,  158 
Billinghay,  123 
Billingsley,  215 
Bilsthorpe,  213,  275 
Bilton,  78,  97,  330,  349, 
Bincombe,  197 
Binfield,  158 
Bingham,  129,  130,  213 
Binham,  1 26,  260 
Binham  Abbey,  168 
Binsted,  301 
Birkenhead,  189 
Birling,  271 
Birmingham,  250 
Birts  Morton,  8,  141,  281 
Bisbrooke,  131 
Bishampton,  158,  227 
Bishop  Cannings,  253,  254 
Bishop's  Cleeve,  8 
Bishop  Sherborne,  261 
Bishop's  Hull,  278 
Bishop's  Lydeard,  135,  277,  278 
Bishop's  Stortford,  119,  202,  260,  301 
Bishop's  Sutton,  83 
Bishopsteignton,  191,  196 
Bishopstone,  223,  261 
Bitchfield,  208 
Bitterley,  78,  132,  215,  301 
Blackawton,  113,  196     ' 


Black  Bourton,  150 

Blackmore,  198 

Blade's  Books  in  Chains^  337 

Blake,  Dr.,  141 

Blakeney,  78,  126,  209,  210,  260 

Blakenham,  136 

Blaston  St.  Giles,  33 

Bleadon,  150 

Bledington,  338 

Bledlow,  80,  187 

Bletchingley,  158,  222 

Bletchley,  242 

Bletchworth,  301 

Bletsoe,  77,  186 

Blewbury,  187,  301 

Blickling,  210,  246,  288,  299,  301 

Blidworth,  156 

Blight's  Cornish  Churches^  266 

Blisland,  106,  193,  352 

Blis worth,  211 

Blithfield,  136,  261,  276 

Blockley,  140,  141 

Blofield,  126,  210 

Blore,  136,  276 

Bloxam,  Mr.,  17,  19,  46,  74,  78,  121,  165 

Bloxham,  130,  131,  214 

Bloxworth,  158 

Blundeston,  138,  280 

Blunham,  26 

Bluntisham,  203 

Blyborough,  208 

BIyford,  12,  62,  220,  236,  319,  328 

Blyth,  90,  130 

Blythburgh,    66,    77,    79,    81,    137,    138, 

153,  168.  178,  219,  220,   240,  242,  245, 

263,  279,  280 
Blything  Hundred,  136,  219,  237,  279 
Blythorne,  203 
Blyton,  208 

Boarhunt,  158,  166,  200 
Boconnoc,  14,  189,  193 
Bodmin,  37,   149,  189,  190,   191,  193,  265, 

267 
Boke  of  Nature,  284 
Bologna,  343 
Bolnhurst,  103,  264 
Bolton,  Yorks.,  8,  178 
Bolton  Abbey,  142 
Bolton-juxta-Bowland,  178,  231 
Bolton-le-Moors,  271,  333 
Bolton  Priory,  4 
Bond,  Mr.  T.  Blythe,  87,  109 
Bonsall,  195 

Books,  Chained,  336-340 
Boothby,  Pagnell,  123,  208 
Bootle,  178,  194 
Borden,  246,  338 
Boreham,  199 

Bosbury,  118,  166,  201,  202 
Boscastle,  266 
Boscombe,  153 
Bosham,  78,  223,  261 
Boston,  123,  149,  239,  256,  257,  258,  260, 

333 


GENERAL    INDEX 


363 


Bosville,  Adam,  170 

Botley,  200 

Bottesford,  8,  208 

Bottisham,  64,  104 

Botus  Fleming,  193 

Boughton  Malherb,  149 

Boughton-under-Blean,  120 

Bouringsleigh  Chapel,  113 

Bourne,    104,    178,    207,    208,    237,    259, 

264 
Bourton-on-Dunsmore,  224 
Bovey  Tracey,  113,  149,  269 
Bow,  no 

Bow  Brickhill,  103,  148 
Bowden  Magna,  165 
Bowes,  167,  229,  230 
Bowness,  194,  339 
Boxgrove,  91,  139,  223 
Boxworth,  259 
Boyton,  193,  227 
Bozeat,  128,  129,  236,  274 
Brabourne,  204 
Braceborough,  208 
Brackenfield,  107,  109 
Bradboume,  195 
Bradestone,  158 

Bradfield,  40,  116,  165,  210,  220,  231 
Bradfield  Combust,  218,  220 
Bradfield  St.  George,  280 
Bradford  Abbas,  114,  197,  198,  301 
Bradley,  38,  178,  195,  207,  208  t 
Bradninch,  no,  112,  113 
Bradock,  193,  267 
Bradstone,  269 
Bradwell,  100,  180,  214 
Bradwell-juxta-Coggeshall,  88,  116 
Brad  worthy,  20,  113 
Brailes,  224,  297,  301 
Brailsford,  38,  195 
Bramcote,  214 

Bramfield,  62,  136,  1 37,  138,  242,  280  i; 
Bramford,  136,  138,  220,  232,  241,  2421 
Bramley,  20,  62,  200,  271,  356 
Brampton,  219,  257,  260 
Bramshaw,  201 
Bramshott,  201 
Brancaster,  33 
Brancepeth,  8,  33,  93,  115,  198,  259,  270, 

297,  301 
Brandesburton,  229 
Brandon,  138,  261,  280 
Brandon's  Analysis  of  Gothic  Archiiecture, 

223 
Brantingham,  229 
Brasted,  120 
Bratoft,  123 
Bratton,  227,  261 
Bratton  Clovelly,  113 
Braunston,  121,  206,  269 
Braunton,  113 
Bray,  187 

Braybrook,  21 1,  329 
Breadsall,  12,  24,  109,  267,  338 
Bream,  217 


Breamore,  86 

Brean,  154 

Breaston,  152 

Breckles,  126,  209,  210 

Brecon,  St.  John's,  317 

Bredon,  141,  281 

Breedon,  170,  206,  288 

Bremhill,  140 

Brent  Eleigh,  336 

Brent  Knoll,  263,  278,  279 

Brereton,  Sir  Randulph,  105 

Bressingham,  149,  273 

Bretforton,  227 

Brewardine,  201 

Brickhill  Bow,  187 

Brickland,  221 

Bricklehampton,  70,  227,  236 

Bridekirk,  34,  35,  166,  178,  193,  194 

Bridestowe,  88,  109,  113 

Bridford,  III,  112,  113,  149 

Bridgeham,  126 

Bridgnorth,  8,  215,  333 

Bridgwater,  134,  135,  150,  261,  285 

Bridlington,  204,  244,  338 

Bridport,  198 

Brighton,  222,  223 

St.  Nicholas,  139 
Brightstone,  201 
Bright  Walton,  186 
Brigstock,  150 
Brimpton,  132,  135,  262 
Bringhurst,  206 
Brington,  203,  274 
Brinsop,  118,  201 
Brinton,  210,  273 
Brisley,  126,  273 
Bristol,  All  Saints,  33 

Cathedral,  23,  26,  68,  80,  152,  256,  257, 

259,  319 

Mayor's  Chapel,  26,  70 

St.  John  Baptist,  158 

St.  Mary-le-Port,  80 

St.  Mary  Redcliffe,  331,  338 

St.  Philip,  199,  200 

St.  Thomas,  323 

Temple  Church,  329 
Bristol  and  Gloucester  A  rckcsological Society  s 

Transactions,  135 
Britford,  281 

British  Museum,  24,  31,  34 
Britsmorton,  242 
Brittany,  171 
Brixton,  8 
Brize  Norton,  131 
Broadchalk,  227 
Broad  Hempston,  70,  113 
Broads,  district  of  the,  125 
Broad  was,  13,  154 
Broadwater,  8,  78,  261,  281 
Broadway,  116,  242 
Broad  Windsor,  197 
Broad  wood,  113 
Broadwood  Widger,  113,  269 
Brockdish,  126 


364        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


Brockenhurst,  200 

Brockley,  138,  280 

Brock,  Mr.  Loftus,  123 

Brockworth,  149 

Brodsworth,  231 

Bromeswell,  280 

Bromfield,  215 

Bromham,  186,  264,  333 

Bromley,  203,  204,  327 

Brompton,  230 

Bromsgrove,  338 

Bromyard,  201,  250 

Brooke,  168,  215 

Brookland,  120,  164,  177,  203,  204 

Broome,  227 

Broomfield,  277,  278,  279 

Brough,  153,  288 

Broughlon,   24,   63,    130,    131,    202,    203, 

211,  333 
Broughton  Astley,  236 
Broughton  Brant,  208 
Broughton  Castle,  3 
Broughton-in-Furness,  205 
Broughton-in- Preston,  301 
Broxbourne,  301 
Bruere,  Bishop,  259 
Bruchier,  Archbishop,  221 
Bruisyard,  280 
Brundall,  164 
Brushford,  1 13,  135 
Bruton,  279 
Bubwith,  179,  229 
Buckden,  203 
Buckenham,  24 
Buckerell,  113 
Buckfastleigh,  196 
Buckhorn  Weston,  32,  33 
Buckland,  187,  270,  320,  346 
Buckland-le-Moors,  113 
Buckland  Monachorum,  113,  197,  269 
Buckland  Newton,  242 
Buckland  Weston,  114 
Buckler's  i^'jj-^j;  Churches^  II 6,  198 
Buckminster,  64,  121,  145,  301 
Bucknell,  151. 
Buckrose  deanery,  141 
Bucks  Records^  312 
Buck  worthy,  196 
Budock,  106,  267 
Bugbrooke,  128,  129,  2ii 
Bugthorpe,  229 
Build e?-,  the,  no 

B2iilding  of  Barnack  Church,  the,  253 
Bulkington,  17 
Bulphan,  199 
Bumpstead  Steeple,  116 
Bunbury,  26,  73,  105,  174,  247,  338 
Bungay,  151 
Bunny,  64 

Burford,  25,  27,  150,  214,  215 
Burgate,  138,  170,  179,  219,  220 
Burgate,  Sir  W.,  179 
Burgh,  123,  152,  234 
Burghill,  97,  118,  164 


Burgh-next-to-Aylsham,  168 

Burghwallis,  9,  231 

Burham,  204 

Buriton,  118 

Burkitt  On  the  Nexv  Testament,  339 

Burlescombe,  113 

Burley,  215 

Burlingham  St.  Andrew,  126,  300,  301 

Burlingham    St.    Edmund,    19,    126,    149, 

158 
Burlingham  St,  Peter,  126 
Burnby,  141,  142 
Burneston,  174 
Burnham,  103 

Burnham  Deepdale,  209,  210 
Burnham  Norton,  125,  126,  149,  210 
Burnley,  205 
Burnsall,  230,  231 
Burpham,  281 
Burrington,  no,  113,  135 
Burrough,  206 
Bursledon,  200 
Burstall,  138 
Burston,  222 
Burstwick,  229 

Burton,  lOO,  139,  189,  222,  223 
Burton  Agnes,  229 
Burton-Bradstock,  198 
Burton  Goggles,  64,  77 
Burton  Dassett,  9,  18 
Burton  Fleming,  229 
Burton  Hastings,  224 
Burton,  Henry,  16 
Burton  Joyce,  9,  130 
Burton  Latimer,  129 
Burton-on-Trent,  218 
Burton  Overy,  121 
Burwarton,  215 
Burwell,  104,  208,  259,  264 
Burwash,  170,  223 
Bury,  Hunts,  79,  81,  203 
Bury,  Sussex,  100,  139 
Bury  St.  Edmunds,  81,  146,  232,  280,  333 
Bury's  Ecclesiastical  Woodiuork,  1 30 
Butterfield,  Mr.,  141 
Butterwick,  123,  228,  229,  230 
Buxhall,  220,  261 
Buxted,  223,  301 
Buxton,  126 
Byfleet,  152,  222 
Byford,  173 
Bygrave,  119 
Bywell  St.  Peter,  212 

Cabourn,  208 
Caddington,  186,  272 
Cadney,  123,  208 
Caen,  342 

Caenstone,  191,  192 
Caerwent,  154 
Caistor,  26 
Caldecot,  131,  215 
Caldecote,  104,  150,  237 
Caldecott,  264,  289 


GENERAL    INDEX 


365 


Cakler  Abbey,  5,  321 

Caldwall,  206 

Callington,  4,  9,  191,  192,  193,  239 

Calne,  140 

Calthorpe,  210 

Calverleigh,  113 

Calverley,  105,  231 

Calverley's  Early  Sculptures  of  Cumberland^ 

193,  194 
Calverton,  213 
Calvin's  Instituted^  339 
Camborne,  7,  9,  106,  149,  1 93 
Cambridge,   King's  College,  79,  80,   104, 

146,  257,  259 
~    Pembroke  College,  55,  56 

St.  Andrew,  104 

St.  Benet's,  4,  9 

St.  Botolph,  104 

St.    Edward   and    St.    Mary   the   Less, 
188 

St.  Michael,  259 

St.  Peter's,  187,  188 

Sidney  Sussex  College,  326 

Trinity  College,  326 
Camden,  251 
Camm,  Dom,  122 
Campsall,  231 
Candlesticks^  323-327 
Canon  Pyon,  118,  201,  259 
Canons  Ashby,  12 
Canterbury,  235,  249 

Canterbury  Cathedral,  2,  31,   56,  81,  91, 
120,    161,   163,  179,  234,   248,    250, 

251.  310.  325»  338 

Holy  Trinity,  271 

Patriarchal  Chair,  249,  250 

Royal  Museum,  250 

St.  Alphege,  120,  204,  234 

St.  Augustine's  Chair,  248,  249,  250 

St.  Dunstan's,  15 

St.  George,  204 

St.  Margaret's,  57,  162,  204 

St.  Martin,  52,  167,  203,  204 

St.  Mary  Magdalene,  204 

St.  Mildred,  204 

St.  Peter,  204 
Cantilupe,  Bishop,  42 
Capel-le-Ferme,  84,  120 
Cape  Town,  136 
Carbrooke,  126,  273 
Car  Colston,  9,  11,  73,  213,  242,  275 
Cardinham,  267 
Careby,  346 
Carhampton,  133,  134,  135 

Hundred  of,  132 
Carlisle  Cathedral,  36,  48,  67,  256,  257, 

259,  310,  321,  344,  346 
Carlton,  103,  186,  188,  261,  264 
Carlton  Husthwaite,  155 
Carlton-in-Craven,  231 
Carlton  Rode,  126 
Carlton  Sc^-oop,  123,  207,  208 
Carlton  South,  123 
Carminowe  Arms,  154 


Carnaby,  229 

Carsington,  34 

Carter  of  St.  Columbarms,  193 

Carter^ s  Ancient  Sculptures^  259 

Carthew's  History  of  the  Hundred  of  Laun- 

ditch,  125 
Cartmel,  3,  93,  121,  257,  260,  332 
Cartmel  Fell,  121 
Carysfort,  Lord,  51 
Cases  to  Recover  Dissenters,  338-339 
Cassington,  260 
Castell,  Prior  Thomas,  270 
Castle  Acre,  126,  145,  149,  260,  273 
Castle  Bromwich,  34 
Castle  Bytham,  77,  122 
Castle  Cary,  135,  150,  217 
Castledon,  210 
Castle  Frome,  201 
Castle  Hedingham,  116,  259 
Castle  Morton,  141 
Castle  Rising,  209,  210,  319 
Casllethorpe,  187 
Castleton,  333 
Caston,  33,  179,  219 
Castor,  301 
Catacleuse,  191,  192 
Catesby,  129,  354 
Catfield,  125,  126,  150,  210,  319 
Catharine  ot  Portugal,  56 
Catmore,  186 
Catsfield,  78 

Cattarick,  142,  170,  179,  230 
Catterstock,  129 
Catton,  149,  231 
Catworth,  62,  149,  346 
Cavendish,  81,  138,  280 
Cavenham,  138 
Caversfield,  187 
Caversham,  93 
Cawston,  58,  126,  240,  242,  260,  273,  288, 

289 
Caxton,  188 
Cay  ton,  208,  230 
Cerne  Abbas,  59,  114 
Chacombe,  38 

Chaddesden,  70,  79,  109,  165,  314 
Chaddesley  Corbett,  73,  227,  281 
Chagford,  113 
Chained  Books,  336-40 
Chaldon,  221 
Chaldon  Plerring,  197 
Chale,  149 
Chalford,  200 
Chalices,  29-31 
Chalk,  120,  204 
Challington,  186 
Challock,  120 
Champlevi  Enamel,  3 
Chancel  Screens  of  Yorkshire,  The,  141 
Chandeliers,  329-30 
Chapel  Allerton,  346 
Chapel  Royal,  Savoy,  159 
Charlcorull,  217 
Charlecombe,  150 


366 


ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


Charles  II.,  56 

Charles  Edward,  Prince,  330 

Charlton,  140 

Charlton  Kings,  200 

Charlton-on-Otmoor,  130,  131,  152 

Charlwood,  138,  139,  150 

Charney,  186 

Charsfield,  280 

Chartham,  120 

Chastleton,  275 

Chasubles^  342-50 

Chatteris,  104 

Chawleigh,  113 

Cheadle,  105 

Checkley,  217,  218 

Cheddar,  15,  135,  150,  217,  278,  279 

Cheddington,  187 

Chediston,  62,  153,  219,  280 

Chedsworth,  149 

Chedzoy,  150,  279,  346 

Chelborough,  197 

Chellaston,  24 

Chellington,  264 

Chelmorton,  107,  108,  179,  195,  246,  300, 

301 
Chelmsford,  19,  333 
•  Museum,  116 
Chelsham,  138,  139,  221 
Chelsworth,  220 
Cheltenham,  62 
Chelvey,  158 
Chenduit  family,  238 
Chenies,  187 
Chepstead,  139 
Chepstow,  208 
Cherington,  225,  227 
Cheriton,  113,  196,  200 
Cherry  Hinton,  104,  188,  264 
Chesham  Bois,  158,  264 
Cheshunt,  292,  302 
Chessington,  221,  281 
Chesterblade,  79,  81,  150,  217 
Chester  Cathedral,  33,  73,  189,  256,  257, 

258,  259,  310 
Chesterfield,  107,  109,  194,  195 
Chesterford,  97 
Chesterton,  17,  73,  214,  264 
Chests.     See  Church  Chests. 
Cheswardine,  302,  349 
Chetham,  Humphrey,  332-4 
Chettisham,  188 
Cheveley,  104,  300,  302 
Chevington,  220,  280,  297,  302 
Chewton  Mendip,  217,  279 
Chichester  Cathedral,  20,  23,  24,  27,  31, 
34,  55>  9i»  92,  256,  261,  294,  302 

Hospital,  139,  261 
Chieveley,  187 
Chignall  Smealey,  164 
Childerditch,  199 
Childrey,  148,  164,  186 
Chilham,  162,  327 
Chillingham,  180 
Chilton,  80,  103,  187,  220 


Chilton  Folliot,  227 

Chilveston,  274 

Chinnor,  131,  214 

Chippenham,  104,  264 

Chipping,  152,  180,  205 

Chipping  Camden,  80,  343,  346 

Chipping  Norton,  3,  9,  27,  214 

Chipping  Sodbury,  145,   149 

Chipping  Warden,  26,  79 

Chipstead,  221,  222 

Chirbury,  334 

Chisledon  arms,  268 

Chislehurst,  120 

Chithurst,  223 

Chittlehampton,  149 

Chivelston,  113,  149 

Chobham,  161,  302 

Choir  Stalls  and  their  Carvings^  258 

Chollerton,  167,  212 

Cholmondeley,  Elizabeth,  105 

Cholmondeley,  Richard,  105 

Chorley,  205,  288 

Choulesbury,  187 

Ch  rism  atorieSy  187 

Christchurch,  3,  5,  9,  20,  21,  26,  118,  256, 

258,  259,  334 
Christian  Malford,  140,  227 
Christow,  113,  269 
Chro7iicle  of  Jocelyn^  146 
Chudleigh,  113,  196 
Chulmleigh,  no,  113 
Church  Brampton,  292,  301 
Church  Broughton,  109,  194,  195,  301 
Church  Chests^  291-307 
Church  Embroideries^  341-50 
Churches  of  Scarborough  and  District,  230 
Chuj'ches  of  Warwickshire^  224 
Churchill,  302 
Church  Langton,  242,  271 
Church  Lawford,  97 
Church  Layton,  175 
Church  Libraries^  33i~6 
Church  of  Our  Fathers,  The,  7 
Church  Plate,  28-9 
Church  Platey  Heraldic y  57 
Churchstanton,  135 
Churchstow,  113 
Church  Stretton,  51,  215 
Churston  Ferrers,  109,  113 
Cirencester,  47,  116,  149,  199,  346 
Clanfield,  214 
Clapham,  242 
Clapton,  34,  277,  279,  289 
Clapton-in-Gardens,  23,  27,  323-4 
Clare,  81 

Clarke,  Mr.  Somers,  84 
Claughton,  33 
C  layering,  116 
Claverley,  215 
Clawton,  113,  196 
Claybrook,  121 
Clay  Coton,  274 
Clayhanger,  113,269 
Claypole,  3,  9,  54,  123,  149,  208 


GENERAL   INDEX 


367 


Clayworth,  238,  275 

Clee,  208 

Cleeve  Prior,  228,  300,  302 

Cleobury  Mortimer,  132,  215 

Cleve,  273 

Clevedon,  279 

Clevying,  Robert,  181 

Clewer,  186 

Cley-next-the-Sea,  9,  152,  168,  260,  309 

Cliffe,  33,  153,  158,  260 

Cliffe  Pypard,  140 

Clifton,  103,  186,  302 

Climping,  28,  139,  215,  223,294,  296,  302 

Clist.     See  under  Clyst 

Clovelly,  153,  196 

Clun,  215 

Clungunford,  302 

Clyst  St.  George,  197 

Clyst  St.  Lawrence,  113 

Coates,  222-3 

Cobham,  120,  204,  260 

Cockerington  South,  123 

Cockersand,  142 

Cockfield,  138,  150,  261,  280 

Cockington,  113,  149,  269 

Coddenharr),  138 

Coddington,  262 

Codford  St.  Peter,  227 

Coffinwell,  196 

Cofton,  33 

Cogenhoe,  211,  237 

Coity,  311 

Colby,  33 

Colchester,  St.  Martin's,  199,  302 

St.  Nicholas,  18 
Cold  Ashby,  211 
Cold  Aston,  149 
Cold  Overton,  25 
Colebrooke,  113,  267,  269 
Coleby,  208,  271 
Coleman,  Lancelot,  14 
Colemore,  118,  200 
Coleridge,  113 
Colerne,  78 

Coleshill,  186,  223-4,  302 
Colkirk,  126,  210 
Collecting  Boxes^  245-7 
Collingham,  South,  9 
Colly  Weston,  211 
Colmworth,  186 
Colne,  121,  205,  227 
Coloterworth,  208 
Colston,  240 
Colston  Basset,  121 
Colton,  107 
Columb,  Major,  9,  193 
Colyton,  1 12-13,  268-9 
Colyton,  Rawleigh,  196 
Combe,  150 
Combe  Basset,  227 
Combe  Bisset,  140 
Combe-in-Teignhead,  113 
Combe  Keynes,  33 
Combe  Martin,  112,  113 


Combe  Pyne,  31,  33 

Combe,  St.  Nicholas,  135 

Comber's  Companion  to  the  Temple,  339 

Combeston,  104,  264 

Combs  138,  261,  280,  300,  302 

Commandments,  The  Ten,  356-7 

Compsall,  142 

Compton,  9,  92,  122,  138,  139,  221 

Compton  Bassett,  91,  140,  158 

Compton  Beauchamp,  65,  187 

Compton  Bishop,  150 

Compton  Martin,  135 

Compton  Verney,  346 

Coneysthorpe,  247 

Coney  Weston,  220 

Congresbury,  135 

Coningsby,  123 

Conisborough,  231 

Coniscliffe,  259 

Connington,  254 

Cookham,  9 

Cookley,  219,  279,  280 

Cope  Chests,  308,  316-17 

Copes,  342-50 

Copford,  116 

Copgrove,  231 

Cople,  102,  103,  264 

Coplestone  Arms,  268 

Coplestone,  Jno.,  268 

Coptic  Churches,  83 

Corbett,  Bishop,  284 

Corby,  64,  211 

Corby  Castle,  346  * 

Corfe  Castle,  198 

Corhampton,  253 

Cornish  Churches,  266 

Cornwood,  149 

Corn  worthy,  113 

Corpusty,  126 

Corringham,  123 

Corsham,  140 

Corston,  140 

Corton,  9 

Corton  Donham,  279 

Cosby,  121 

Cosin,  Bishop,  48,  115,  198,  270,  285 

Cossey,  33 

Costessay,  126 

Costock,  274,  275 

Cotes-by-Stow,  122,  123,  149 

Cothele,  106 

Cothelstone,  217,  279 

Cotman's  Architectural  Remains,  303 

Coton,  104,  187,  188,  302 

Cottam,  228,  229 

Cotterstock,  262 

Cottesmore,  215 

Cottishall,  126 

Coughton,  223,  224,  281 

Cound,  302 

Countisbury,  ill,  113 

Country  Life,  112 

Covehithe,  219 

Coveney,  64,  188,  264 


368 


ENGLISH   CHURCH    FURNITURE 


Covenham  St.  Bartliolomew,  i8o,  208 
Covenham  St.  Mary,  77 
Coventry,  144 

Holy  Trinity,    16,  81,    150,    170,    224, 
242,  261 

St.  Mary,  207 

St.  Michael,  139,  150,  224,  261,  302 
Covington,  62 
Cowden,  158,  204 
Cowfold,  223 
Cowlam,  228,  229 
Cowling,  64,  138,  280 
Cox,  Dr.  J.  C,  229,  295,  320 
Cox's  Canterbury,  235,  249 
Cox's  Derbyshire  Churches,  63,  108,  233, 

235 
Cranage,  Mr.,  132 
Cranage,  Rev.  D.  H.  S.,  215 
Cranbourne,  149,  197,  198 
Cranbrook,  176 
Cranfield,  186 
Cranham,  116 

Cranley  or  Cranleigh,  138,  139,  150 
Cranse,  59 

Crantock,  106,  180,  193 
Crasswell,  59 
Cratfield,   137,   138,    168,  261,  279,    280, 

299,  302 
Crawley,  66,  67,  186 
Crayke,  142,  153,  155,  282,  302 
Creaton,  19 
Crediton,  64,  68 
Crediton,  Bishop,  196 
Creeting  St.  Mary,  37,  138 
Cresset,  320 
Crewe  Arms,  57 
Crewe,  Bishop,  115 
Crewe,  Nathaniel  Lord,  17 
Crich,  7,  67,  79,  108,  109,  195,  211 
Cricklade,  226,  229 
Cripps,  Mr.,  29,  47 
Croft,  78,  81,  123,  142 
Crofton,  231 

Cromer,  33,  126,  288,  319 
Crondall,  200,  302,  328 
Cropredy,  79,  93,  130,  131 
Cropthorne,  281 
Cropwell,  174 

Cropwell,  Bishop,  214,  274,  275 
Crosby-on-Eden,  194 
Crosby  Ravensworth,  48,  225 
Croscombe,  135,  217,  279 
Cross  Canonby,  194 
Crosses,  Altar  and  Processional,  53-4 
Crosthwaite,  170,  180,  194 
Crost wight,  126,  210,  273 
C  rough  ton,  211 

Crowcombe,  135,  150,  217,  278,  279 
Crowhurst,  150,  221 
Crowland,  123 
Crowle,  79,  81,  236 
Crowmarsh,  61 
Croxall,  57 
Croxton,  77 


Croxton  Kerial,  271 

Croydon,  81,  188 

Croyland,  91 

Croziers,  54-6 

Crudwell,  281 

Cruets  and  Flagons,  45-8 

Cruwys  Morchard,  iii,  113 

Crystal  Palace,  Ecclesiastical  Court  of  the, 

75 
Cubberley,  17,  20,  270 
Cubbington,  224 
Cublington,  80 
Cuckfield,  223 
Cuddington,  103,  187 
Cudworth,  217 
Cuirbonilli  Cases,  57-8- 
Culbone,  133,  135,  217 
Cullompton,  94_,  no,  113 
Culmstock,  113,  193,  346 
Culpho,  280 
Culverthorpe  Hall,  271 
Cuming,  Mr.  Syer,  245 
Cumnor,  131,  264 
Cupboards,  308-316 
Curdworth,  224,  292,  303 
Curious  Church  Gleanings,  320 
Curry  Rivel,  135,  279 
Curteys,  Joan,  184 
Curteys,  John,  184 
Curzon  Arms,  57 
Cuxwold,  208 

Dacre,  119 

Dacre  Arms,  282 

Dacre,  Lord,  76 

Dalby,  230 

Dale,  109,  233 

Dalham,  280 

Dallington,  49,  211 

Dallingworth,  97 

Dalton,  198,  223,  229 

Dalton-in-Furness,  170,  205 

Danby,  230 

Danby,  Lord,  56 

Darenth,  203,  204 

Daresbury,  105 

Darfield,  231,  282,  338 

Darley,  107,  195 

Darlington,  92,  115,  198,  259,  270 

Daroca  College,  343 

Darsham,  180,  219,  279,  280 

Darsingham,  297 

Dartington,  113 

Dartmouth,  19,  no,  113,  149 

Datchworth,  202,  303 

Davenham,  89 

Daventry,  40 

Davidstow,  106,  265,  267 

Dawlish,  109 

De  Vere  arms,  116 

D'Estria's  screen,  Prior,  91 

Dean,  103,  148,  242 

Dean  Prior,  196 

Deane,  118,  205 


GENERAL   INDEX 


369 


Dearham,  194,  321 

Debenham,  9,  261,  280 

Deddington,  93,  131,  214 

Dedham,  177 

Deeping  St.  James,  208 

Deeihurst,  19,  166,  199,  200 

Denardiston,  220,  261 

Denbury,  113 

Denchworth,  187 

Denford,  129,  256,  260 

Dennington,  138,  280 

Dent,  152 

Denton,  123,  126,  222,  223,  303 

Deopham,  126 

Deptford,  155 

Derby,  All  Saints,  17,  57,  331-2 

St.  Peter,  108,  109,  297,  303 

St.  Wirburgh,  235 
Derbyshire   Archccological   Jourjialy    171, 

179 
Derbyshire  Chtirches,  63,  233,  235 
Dering,  Dr.  Heneage,  141 
Dersingham,  126,  149,  297,  303 
Derwent,  37 
Desford,  206 

Despenser,  Bishop  Henry  le,  25 
Detling,  79,  81 
Devizes,  29 

Devonshire  Association^  Reports  of,  109 
Devonshire^  Little  Guide  to,  1 10 
Dickleborough,  126 
Didcot,  186,  303 
Didling,  281 
Digby,  123,  271 
Digswell,  64. 
Dilwyn,  118 
Dinton,  12,  13,  14 
Diss,  49 
Distington,  174 
Ditcheat,  135,  261 
Ditcheridge,  227 
Ditchfield,  63 
Ditching,  70 
Ditchingham,  209-10 
Dittisham,  113,  149 
Ditton,  187 
Ditton  Priors,  132 
Dodbrooke,  113 

Doddington,  64,  90,  104,  120,  188,  260 
Doddington,  Thomas,  44 
Dodford,  129,  211 
Dodiscombsleigh,  197,  268,  269 
Dolgelly,  31 
Dollman,  T.  T.,  144 
Dolton,  167 

Donhead  St,  Mary,  225,  227 
Donnington,  275 
Donyat,  279 

Dorchester,  13,  65,  77,  131,  163,  260 
Dorstone,  33 
Dorton,  180 
Doulting,  217 

Dovebridge.     See  Doveridge 
Dover  St.  Mary,  204 

2   B 


Dovercourt,  241-2 

Doveridge,  63,  64,  77,  195 

Down  East,  113 

Dov^'n  Hatherley,  164 

Down  St.  Mary,  113 

Downham,  188 

Dovtrnham  Market,  210 

Downton,  162,  197,  227 

Drayton,  26,  64,  103,  186,  210,  242,  272, 

3I4>  346 
Drayton  Beauchamp,  187,  264 
Drayton  Parsloe,  170,  187 
Drewsteignton,  196 
Drinkstone,  220 
Dronfield,  33,  259,  267,  338 
Dry  Drayton,  104 
Due,  Vidlet  le,  292 
Ducklington,  78 
Duddington,  19 
Dudley,  R.  C.  Church,  34 
Dulas,  9 
Duloe,  106,  193 
Dulwich  Chapel,  177 

College,  235 
Dummer,  149 
Dunchideock,  113 
Dunchurch,  224 
Dundon  Compton,  135 
Dundry,  217 
Dunkeld,  79 
Dunkeswell,  196 
Dunmow,  303 
Dunsby,  181,  207-8 
Dunsfold,  221,  263,  280,  281 
Dunsford,  170,  197 
Dunstable,  103,  346 
Dunster,  3,  9,  97,  i33-5>  217,  292 
Duntisbourne  Rouse,  259 
Dunton,  186 

Dunton  Bassett,  263,  271 
Durham,  343,  346 

Castle,  115,  259 

Cathedral,  6,   12,  22,  26,  70,  235,  248, 

259,  325 

Rites  of,  321 

St.  Giles,  198 

St.  Oswald,  53,  259 
Duston,  274 
Dymchurch,  $1 
Dymock,  116 

Eadmer,  249 

Eakring,  170,  175,  242 

Eardisland,  1 18 

Eardisley,  201 

Earlham,  126 

Earls  Baston,  68,  129,  319 

Earls  Colne,  33 

Earls  Shilton,  206 

Earl  Stonham,  138,  245 

Early  Christian  Symbolism,  201,  205,  209, 

210,  213,  217,  228 
Early  Scriptures   of  Cumberland,   193 
Easington,  9,  115,  198,  214,  259 


37° 


ENGLISH   CHURCH    FURNITURE 


Easley,  142,  230 

East  Allington,  113,  149 

East  Ayton,  230 

East  Bilney,  210 

East  Brent,  81,  279,  291 

East  Bridgford,  174 

East  Budleigh,  113,  269 

East  Coulston,  81 

East  Dean,  152,  223,  236 

East  Dereham,  81,  168,  169,  210,  303 

East  Drayton,  130 

East  Had  don,  211 

East  Hani,  170,  181,  189 

East  Hampstead,  187 

East  Harling,  81,  127,  245 

East  Hendred,  80,  103 

£asf  Herts  Archceological  Society'' s  Trans- 

actionss  202 
East  Kirby,  77,  122,  123,  240,  243 
East  Langdon,  204,  346 
East  Leake,  79,  81,   130,  214,  274,  276, 

339 
East  Martham,  130 
East  Meon,  149,  168,  200 
East  Pennard,  217 
East  Pinchbeck,  123 
East     Riding       ArchcBological      Society's 

Journal^  228 
East  Retford,  196 
East  Rudham,  24 
East  Ruston,  125,  127 
East  Stoke,  202,  306  ^ 

East  Teignmouth,  197 
East  "Winch,  339 
Eastbourne,  78,  97,  139,  223 
Eastby,  204 
Eastchurch,  120 
Eastergate,  223 
Easter  Sepulchres ^  74-8 
Easthope,  132 
Eastington,  200, 
Eastling,  86 
Easton,  119 

Easton-on-the-Hill,  211,  274 
Eastry,  120 
Eastwell,  84,  121 
Eastwood,  199 
Eaton,  121 
Eaton,  Bishop,  118 
Eaton  Bray,  26,  186,  264 
Eaton  Constantine,  215 
Eaton  Hastings,  70,  186 
Eaton  Socon,  86,  103,  236,  264 
Ebberston,  230 
Ebbesbourne,  34 

Ecclesfield,  9,  142,  174,  261,  282 
Ecclesiastical  Topography^  218,  220 
Ecclesiastical  Woodzvork^  130 
Eccleston,  271 

Eckington,  16,  262,  281,  292,  300,  303 
Edale,  34 
Edburton,  164,  222 
Edenham,  80,  207,  208,  271 
Edgar,  King,  29 


Edgecote,  236 

Edgefield,  126 

Edgmond,  215 

Edingley,  213 

Edingthorpe,  93,  125,  126,  158,  210,  273 

Edington,  94,  140,  152 

Edith  Weston,  215 

Edlesborough,  70,  103,  158,  259 

Edlingham,  212 

Edlington,  173 

Edmondbyers,  9 

Edmundthorpe,  122 

Edwalton,  174,  213,  214,  275 

Edward  VI.,  34 

Efenechtyd,  161 

Effingham,  222,  281  * 

Egerton,  204 

Egginton,  339 

Egleton,  131 

Eglingham,  315 

Egloshayle,  149,  193,  267 

Elham,  162 

Elkstone,  149,  199,  200 

Ellesborough,  148,  187 

Ellesmere,  132,  173 

Ellingham,  89,  118,  286 

Ellough,  138,  280 

Elmdon,  116,  199 

Elmley  Castle,  227,  228,  281 

Elmstead,  204 

Elmstone,  116,  204 

Elmswell,  165,  181,  220,  280 

Elsing,  126,  210,  231 

Elstead,  139 

Elstow,  103,  186 

Elsworth,  64,  148,  259,  264 

Elton,  18,  51,  194,  214,  229 

Elvaston,  107,  109,  195 

Elvedon, 280 

Elvetham,  62,  2S4 

Elvington,  229 

Elworthy,  135 

Ely,  9,  19,  26,  46,  104,  256,  258,  259,  346 

Embroidery^  341-50 

Emden,  275 

Emneth,  126 

Empshott,  118,  201,  271 

Enborne,  186 

Endellion,  193,  237,  238,  265,  267 

Enderley  Bag,  208 

Englefield,  186 

English  Church  History  Exhibition,  247 

Enstone,  3,  9,  27,  214 

Enville,  136,  218,  261 

Epperstone,  213 

Epsom,  222 

Epworth,  81,  123,  255 

Erasmus,  2,  332 

E7-asmus^  Paraphrase,  337"'40 

Erchfont,  227 

Eriswell,  138,  280 

Erie,  Bishop,  284 

Ermington,  19,  113,  196 

Erpingham,  126 


GENERAL    INDEX 


37 


Eryholme,  230 
Escombe,  198 
Eskdale,  194 

Essays  on  Archaological  Subjects^  259 
Essex  Churches^  116,  198 
Etchilhampton,  225,  227 
Etchingham,  139,  223,  261 
Ethelbert,  248 
Ethelbert's  chair,  248 
Eton  College,  80 
Etwall,  79 

Evans,  Dr.  Sebastian,  251 
Evedon,  208 
Evelyn's  Diary,  16 
Evenley,  129 
Everdon,  129 
Eversholt,  186 
Eversley,  1 18 
Evesham,  14,  79 
Evesham  All  Saints,  228 
Evesham  St.  Lawrence,  303 
Evington,  206 
Ewelme,  214,  231,  237 
Ewhurst,  221,  222 
Ewerby,  122,  123,  207,  208 
Examples  of  Ancient  Pulpits,  144 
Exbourne,  113 

Exeter  Cathedral,  26,  31,  33,  58,  68,  91, 
112,    113,    164,    248,    255,  256,  257, 

259,  325 

St.  Edmund-on-the  Bridge,  196 

St.  Lawrence,  113 

St.  Mary  Steps,  26,  113,  196 

St.  Petrock,  99 

St.  Sidwell,  149 

St.  Thomas,  80 

Synod  of,  300 

Vicar's  College,  113 
Exeter  Diocesan  Architectural  Society,  Pro- 
ceedings of  the,  43 
Exminster,  113 
Exning,  42,  280 
Exton,  Rutland,  215 
Exton,  Somerset,  217 
Eyam,  194 
Eydon,  211 
Eye,  118,  138,  202 
Eynsford,  120,  204 
Eythorne,  164 
Eyton,  118 
Eyworth,  264 

Fairford,  116,  200,  258,  259,  329 
Fakenhara,  126,  138,  170,  210,  242 
Faringdon,  165 
Faringdon,  Little,  33 
Farleigh  Hungerford,  217 
Farnborough,  118,  271,  290 
Farndish,  186 
Farndon,  214 

Farnham,  74,  138,  139,  199 
Farningham,  64,  168,  169,  204 
Farnsfield,  214 
Farrar,  Dean,  250 


Farringdon,  196 

Faversham,  40,  120,  260,  303 

Fawsley,  274 

Featherstone,  170,  181 

Feering,  237 

Felbrigge,  33 

Felbright,  210 

Felixstowe,  280 

Felmersham,  102,  103,  186 

Felpham,  223 

Feltham,  127 

Felton,  303 

Feltwell,  127 

Fen  Ditton,  148,  263,  264 

Fen  Drayton,  64,  70,  188 

Fen  Stanton,  63,  203,  272 

Feniton,  109,  1 10,  113 

Fenny  Bentley,  107,  108,  109,  195 

Fenton,  271 

Ferrar,  Nicholas,  163 

Field,  Bishop,  48 

Field  Dalling,  273 

Fiennes,  Thomas,  76 

Fifehide,  Neville,  198 

Fifield,  26,  65,  103,  187,  198,  199,  227,  259 

Filby,  125,  127,  149 

Filey,  74,  229 

Fillongley,  300,  303 

Fincham,  127,  153,  209,  210,  303 

Finchamstead,  186 

Finchingfield,  166,  170,  199 

Finder  n,  174 

Finedon,  127,  211,  263,  274,  334 

Fingest,  311 

Finningham,  280 

Finningley,  213 

Fishlake,  142,  231,  303 

Fishtoft,  123 

Fiskerton,  26 

Fitzhead,  135 

Fitzherbert  arms,  107 

Fitzjames  arms,  265 

Fitzjames,  Richard,  308 

Fitzwilliam  Museum,  51,  257,  260 

Fladbury,  64 

Flagons  and  Cruets,  45-8 

Flamborough,  93,  141,  142,  174,  213,  229 

Flamstead,  119 

"  Flaunder's  Kiste,"  296 

Flecknoe,  139 

Flempton,  138,  220 

Fletching,  139,  223 

Fletton,  203 

Fleury,  Rohault  de,  La  Messe,  3 

Flintham,  18,  214,  300,  303 

Flinton,  174 

Flitwick,  148,  185,  186 

Flixborough,  123 

Flixton,  280 

Floore,  78,  129,  314 

Flote,  Peter,  210 

Floyd,  Francis,  14 

Folkingham,  122,  123,  271 

Folkton,  228,  229 


372 


ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


Font  Covers ^  231-5 

Fonts,  1 60-23 1 

Footscray,  204 

Ford,  132 

Ford  Abbey,  114 

Fordham,  259 

Fordingbridge,  201 

Fordington,  198 

Fordwich,  120,  204 

Foremark,  12,  109,  195 

Forest  Hill,  346 

Formby,  205 

Forncett,  273 

Forrabury,  191,  193 

Forthampton,  i,  2,  9 

Fosdyke,  207,  208,  232 

Foston,  230 

Fotheringhay,  145,  150,  211,  257 

Foulden,  127 

Foulmire,  104 

Fountains  Abbey,  60 

Fowey,  149,  152,  191 

Fowle,  Bishop,  13 

Fownhope,  202,  203 

Fox,  Bishop,  5S»  311,  312 

Fox,  Mr.  G.  E.,  125,  126,  137 

Fox,  Mr.  J.  C,  312 

Foxley,  33,  127 

Foxley,  Sir  John,  57 

Fox's  Acts  and  Monuments,  96 

Fox's  Book  of  Martyrs,  337-40 

Foxton,  64,  104,  188,  206 

Foy,  118 

Framlingham,  138 

Frampton,  123,  149 

Frampton  Cotterell,  339 

Frampton-on-Severn,  163,  200 

Framsden,  261,  280 

Frankley,  227 

Freckenham,  24,  138,  273,  280 

Freeby,  314 

Freeman,  Professor,  164 

Freethorpe,  127 

Frencham,  221 

Freshford,  217  • 

Freshwater,  201 

Fressingfield,  9,  280 

Frettenham,  210,  303 

Fridaythorpe,  229 

Frieston,  232 

Frilsham,  264 

Frindsbury,  87,  204 

Frisby,  121 

P^istney,  123 

Frithelstock,  269,  354 

Frithstan,  Bishop,  343-4 

"Frith  Stool,"  252 

Frittleworth,  223 

Fritton,  127 

Fritwell,  214 

Frogmore,  77 

Frostenden,  62,  237,  279,  280 

Froyle,  19 

Fryer,  Dr.,  163,  164,  169,  192 


Fryerning,  1 98,  199 
Fugglestone  St.  Peter,  47 
Fulbeck,  808 
Fulbourne,  148,  264 
Fuljambe  Chapel,  107 
Full  Sutton,  229 
Funeral  Monume  fits,  18 
Funeral  Fails,  344-5 
Furneaux  Pelham,  303,  315 
Furness  Abbey,  60,  70,  205,  321 
Fyfield.     See  Fifield 


Gaddesby,  206,  263 

Galleries,  288-91 

Gamlingay,  104,  259,  264 

Ganton,  141,  142 

Gardiner,  Bishop,  278 

Garboldisham,  127,  273 

Garford,  103 

Garsington,  9 

Garstang,  260 

Garthorpe,  77 

Gasquet,  Abbot,  235 

Gatcombe,  14,  17,  33 

Gateley,  127,  356 

Gatton,  139,  221 

Gayton,  211,  218,  260 

Gay  wood,  181,  184 

Gazeley,  150,  280 

Gedding,  280 

Geddington,  152 

Gedling,  64 

Gedney,  123 

Gentleman'' s  Magazine,  120,  194,  196,  199, 

201,  203,  206,  264,  281 
Gervase,  Bishop,  55 
Gidleigh,  113 
Gilbert  arms,  57 
Gillamore,  230 
Gilling,  303 
Gilling,  John,  316 
Gillingham,  Dorset,  197,  336 
Gillingham,  Kent,  120,  204 
Gillingham,  Norfolk,  127 
Gilston,  9,  62,  119,  202 
Gimingham,  303,  354 
Gisleham,  138,  319 
Gislingham,  280 
Gissing,  33 
Gittisham,  113 
Glapthorn,  211 
Glastonbury,  7,  45,  134,  150 

St.  John,  294,  303 
Glatton,  203,  272 
Glinton,  271 
Gloucester,  70 

Candlestick,  324 

Cathedral,  2,  9,  24,  26,  79,  80,  116,  244, 
256,  257,  259,  317 

St.  Mary  Crypt,  77 

St.  Mary  de  Lode,  149 
Gloucester      and      Bristol      Archceological 

Societies''  Transactions,  166,  189 


GENERAL   INDEX 


373 


Glynne,   Sir  Stephen,   105,   162,  164,  176, 

189,  229 
Goadby  Marwood,  67,  206,  271 
Goatland,  34 
Godalniing,  139,  221 
Godrich  Court,  53 
Godshill,  14 
Godstone,  221,  222 
Godwin,  Henry,  44 
Goldington,  186 
Gondibour,  Thomas,  310 
Gonerby,  208 

Gooderstone,  127,  210,  242 
Goodmanham,  181,  228,  229 
Goodramgate,  162 
Goodworth  Clatford,  200 
Goosnargh,  121,  205 
Gordon,  Mr.  Alexander,  278 
Gorges  arms,  268 
Gorleston,  78,  168,  18 1,  268 

St.  Andrew,  138 
Gorran,  267 
Gorton,  264,  332 
Gotham,  12 

Golhic  Archiiecinre,  121 
Gothic  Art,  70 
Gotland,  316 
Goudhurst,  120 
Gould,  Mr.  Baring,  no 
Gower,  Bishop,  55 
Go  ws  worth,  189 
Graft'ham,  223 
Grafton,  127 
Grafton  Flyford,  150 
Grafton  Regis,  128 
Grafton  Underwood,  73 
Grainsby,  123 
Grainthorp,  123 
Granby,  153,  214,  274,  275 
Grandborough,  52,  53,  187 
Grandison,  2i 
Gransden,  104 
Grantham,  4,  9,  25,  47,  97,  123,  207,  208, 

315.  332,  334 
Grappenhall,  188,  189,  303 
Graveley,  61,  119 
Graveney,  120,  294,  303 
Gravenhurst,  102,  103 
Great  Abington,  188 
Great  Addington,  129,  211 
Great  Ashfield,  152 
Great  Bardfield,  85,  116 
Great  Barford,  131,  186 
Great  Barton,  138,  280 
Great  Bealings,  280 
Great  Bedwyn,  27,  65,  140 
Great  Billing,  23,  40,  129,  274 
Great  Bircham,  345 
Great  Blakenham,  138 
Great  Bookham,  139,  221,  281 
Great  Bowden,  206 
Great  Budworth,  189,  259 
Great  Casterton,  215 
Great  Cawford,  198 


Great  Chalfield,  140 

Great  Chart,  339 

Great  Chesterton,  131 

Great  Comber  ton,  281 

Great  Cornard,  138 

Great  Cressingham,  126 

Great  Dawley,  215 

Great  Doddington,  158,  339 

Great  Driffield,  229 

Great  Dunham,  210 

Great  Durnford,  227,  339 

Great  Easton,  33 

Great  Edstone,  200.     See  Easton 

Great  Gidding,  236 

Great  Glemham,  i68,  220 

Great  Gonerby,  123 

Great  Gransden,  119 

Great  Greenford,  181 

Great  Hale,  207 

Great  Hallingbury,  97 

Great  Harrowden,  129 

Great  Harwood,  174 

Great  Haseley,  73 

Great  Hautbois,  9 

Great  Plookham.     See  Hookhani 

Great  Kimble,  187 

Great  Leigh,  77 

Great  Malvern,  22,  27,  227,  261 

Great  Massingham,  127 

Great  Mitton,  142 

Great  Mongeham,  121 

Great  Munden,  26 

Great  Nestor,  189 

Great  Oxendon,  211 

Great  Paxton,  63 

Great  Plumstead,  127 

Great  Poringland,  274 

Great  Redisham,  280 

Great  RoUright,  131 

Great  Salkeld,  167 

Great  Shefford,  186 

Great  Shelford,  62,  104 

Great  Smeaton,  230 

Great  Snoring,  209,  210,  274,  306 

Great  Sparham,  149 

Great  Tew,  150,  214 

Great  Torrington,  156 

Great  Walsingham,  260,  274 

Great  Waltham,  33,  270 

Great  Wenham,  138,  280 

Great  Wigston,  122 

Great  Wilbraham,  i88 

Great  Witchingham,  169 

Great  Wratting,  280 

Great  Wrotham,  127 

Great  Wroxton,  275 

Great  Yarmouth,  127 

Greaves,  Q.C.,  Mr.,  179 

Greemony  Chapel,  the,  112 

Green's  Norton,  211,  303,  352 

Greetham,  215 

Greetwell,  208 

Grendon,  78 

Grenville  arms,  265 


374        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


Gresham,  i68 

Gressenhall,  127 

Gretton,  19 

Grey  well,  117,  118 

Grimoldby,  123,  271 

Grimsby,  208 

Grimston,  122,  127 

Grimthorpe,  Lord,  229 

Grindal,  Archbishop,  35 

Grinling  Gibbons,  162 

Grinton,  142,  230,  339 

Grosmont,  63,  64,  208 

Grotham,  214 

Grundisburgh,  136,  138,  280 

Guernsey,  St.  Peter  Port,  46 

Guestling,  303 

Guilden  Morden,  100,  104,  188,  264 

Guildford,  27 

Holy  Trinity,  246 
Gumley,  122 
Gunwalloe,  106 
Gussage  All  Saints,  197 
Gwinear,  267 

Haccombe,  33 

Hacconby,  271,  297,  304 

Hackerton,  280 

Hacket,  Bishop,  12,  108 

Hackford,  127 

Hackington,  120 

Hackness,  260,  327 

liaddenham,  13,  77,  103,  104,  187,  188 

Haddon  Hall,  9,  109,  195,  233,  287,  304 

Haddon  llall^  304 

Hadleigh,  177,  198,  220,  234,  260 

Hadley,  47 

Hadsor,  78 

Hadstock,  116 

Hagbourne,  103,  148,  187 

Hailes,  116 

Hailsham,  223 

Hainault,  Belgium,  167 

Halam,  13,  62,  213,  214,  327 

Halberton,  109,  no,  in,  113,  149 

Hale,  123 

Halesowen,  227,  304,  337 

Hales,  Stephen,  25 

Halesworth,  137,  219,  220 

Halifax,  142,  231,  241,  242,  243,  260,  336 

Hallaton,  206 

Halloughton,  130 

Halsall,  205,  260 

Halse,  135 

Halsham,  252 

Halstead,  116 

Haltham,  123 

Halton  Holgate,  271 

Halt  whistle,  181 

Hambledon,  149,  186,  221,  311 

Hambledon  Hills,  83 

Hamerton,  119,  203,  272 

Hamerton  arms,  1 78 

Hammeringham,  158 

Hammond  Stoke,  187 


Hammoon,  158 

Hampstead  Norris,  62 

Hampton,  77,  227 

Hampton  Bishop,  64 

Hampton-in-Arden,  224 

Hampton  Poyle,  275 

Hamsey,  78 

Hamstall  Rid  ware,  31,  34,  136 

Hamsterley,  33 

Hanbage,  Thomas,  353 

Hanbury,  217,  218 

Handborough,  100,  130,  131,  150,  214 

Handsworth,  33,  218 

Hangeston,  206 

Hanham,  200 

Hanley  Castle,  281 

Hanney,  103 

Hannington,  129,  150,  211,  319 

Hanwell,  27 

Hanworth,  9 

Happisburgh,  33,  127,  210,  219 

Harberton,  113,  149 

Harbledown,  243 

Hardwick,  127,  211,  ^04,  ^4; 

Hardy,  W.  F.,  284 

Haresfield,  200,  270 

Hargrave,  64,  129,  138,  241    274 

Harlaxton,  208 

Harleston,  138 

Harley,  215 

Harlington,  186,  208 

Harlow,   177 

Harlton,  26,  104,  236 

Harpenden,  202 

Harpley,  127 

Harpole,  9,  211 

Harpswell,  271 

Harpur  arms,  57 

Harrietsham,  120 

Harrington,  129,  170,  194,  208 

Harring  worth,  129 

Harrold,  103,  186 

Harrow,  208 

Harrowden,  128 

Harston,  148 

Hart,  198 

Hart,  Colonel,  291,  296,  305,  306,  317 

Hartest,  280 

Harthill,  81,  327 

Harting,  27 

Hartland,  8,  97,  no,  in,   113,   133,    151, 

195,  196,  237,  268,  269,  354 
Hartlebury,  227 
Hartley  Mauditt,  201 
Hartley  Wespall,  118 
Hartshorne,  33,  267 
Harty,  120,  304 
Harvington,  141,  281 
Harwell,  70,  103,  186 
Plascombe,  139 
Haseley,  224,  275 
Hasfield,  270 
Hasketon,  280 
Haslingden,  170 


GENERAL   INDEX 


375 


Haslingfield,  104,  148 

Hassard,  John,  290 

Hastings,  St.  Clement,  77,  223 

Hatch  Beauchamp,  279 

Hatfield,  142,  304 

Hatfield,  Bishop,  248 

Hatford,  186 

Hatherleigh,   113 

Hatton,  327 

Haughley,  220,  280 

Haughton-in-Arden,  224 

Hauxton,  104 

Hawe  arms,  108 

Hawkchurch,  114 

Hawkedon,  138 

Hawkesbury,  64,  149! 

Hawkhurst,  204 

Hawridge,  187 

Hawstead,  8,  136,  138,  150,  280 

Hawton,  64,  67,  JZ,  75,  78,  90,  100^  13° 

Haxby,  271 

Haxey,  123 

Hay,  Margaret,  14 

Haydon,  167,  212 

Haydor,  207,  208 

Hayes,  208 

Hayes  Barton,  288 

Hayfield,  88,  108 

Hay  ton,  141,  229 

Headbourne  Worthy,  86 

Headcorn,  120,  204 

Heanton  Punchardon,  113 

Heavitree,  113 

Heckfield,  200,  201,  271,  294,  295,  304 

Heckingham,  209,  210 

Heckington,  75,  77,  207,  208 

Heddenham,  203 

Heddington,,47 

Hedon,  228,  229 

Heighington,  148,  149,  198 

Helmsley,  147,  230 

Helpringham,  123,  207,  208,  271 

Hemingborough,  9,  142,  260,  262 

Hemingstone,  220,  280 

Hemington,  257,  260 

Hempstead,  67,  125,   127,   199,  200,  272, 

273»  304 
Hempton,  Margery,  60 
Hempton,  Mr.,  50 
Hemsby,  210 
Hemyock,  113 
Hendon,  202,  208 
Henfield,  139 
Henham  Hall,  153 
Henham-on-the-Hill,  116 
Henley,  158 
Henley-in-Arden,  139 
Henley-on-Thames,  334 
Henley  St.  Peter,  280 
Henry  VI.,  125 
Henry  VII.,  44 
Hennock,  113 
Hensham,  149 
Henstead,  319 


Hepworth,  233,  280 

Heraldic  Church  Plate,  57 

Hereford,  All  Saints,    15,   154,  259,  304, 

334 
Cathedral,   31,   33,   55,    146,   201,  248, 

254,  256,  257,  259,  332 
St.  Peter,  259 
Heme,  120,  170,  204,  282 
Hernehill,  121 
Herriard,  288 
Herringswell,  220 
Hesleton,  William  de,  282 
Hessett,  41,  100,  138,  181,  219,  346 
Hethersett,  127 
Heveningham,  62 
Hevingham,  210 
Heworth,  33 

Hexham,  102,  212,  251,  252,  260 
Hey  don,  149 
Heyford,  51,  275 
Heysham,  205 
Heyshot,  223 
Heytesbury,  140 
Hibaldstow,  208 
Hickleton,  231 
Hickling,i27,  214,  243 
High  Bray,  113 
Pligh  Halden,  204 
High  Ham,  135 
High  Wycombe,  103 
Higham,  177 
Higham  arms,  18 1 

Higham  Ferrers,  128,  129,  211,  260 

Higham  Gobion,  102 

Highley,  9,  131 

Highway,  140 

Hildebrand,  Dr.  Hans,  316 

Hill  Farrance,  152,  279 

Hill  Morton,  339 

Hillesden,  103 

Hilmarton,  140 

Hilperton,  226,  227 

Hilton,  114 

Hinderwell,  34 

Hingham,  155 

Hinton,  211,  236 

Hinxhill,  204 

Hinxton,  188 

Histon,  64,  188,  264 

History  of  Caricature  in   Literature  and 
Art,  259 

History  of  Lambeth,  156 

History  of  Suffolk,  180 

History  of  the  Hundred  of  Launditch,  125 

History  of  the  Parishes  of  St.  Lves,  Lelant, 
Towednack,  and  Zennor,  267 

Hitcham,  138,  280 

Hitchenden,  187 

Hitchin,  119,  202 

Hoare's  Wilts,  225 

Hoby,  122,  271 

Hockering,  33,  273 

Hockliffe,  70 
Hockwold-cum-Witton,  127 


376 


ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


Hodnet,  215,  243,  339 

Hognaston,  195 

Holbeton,  113,  196 

Holbrook,  78 

Holcombe,  288 

Holcombe  Burnell,  76,  77 

Holcombe  Rogus,  113 

Holcot,  40 

Holdenby,  9,  128,  129,  170,  259,  285 

Holderness,  141 

Holdgate,  215 

Holkhara,  33 

Hollingbourne,  149,  349 

Hollingsley,  280 

Hollington,  165 

Holme,  130,  275 

Holme  Pierrepoint,  214 

Holne,  112,  113,  149 

Holt,  227 

Holy  Water  Sioups,  235-9 

Holy  Table,  Name  and  Thing,  The,  1 7 

Holyrood,  78,  162 

Holywell,  202,  203 

Honiton,  109,  no,  113 

Honiton  Clyst,  196' 

Honnington,  77,  280 

Hoo,  210,  304 

Hoo,  Robert,  181 

Hook  Norton,  177,  214 

Hooke,  198 

Hope,  155 

Hope  Mansell,  118,  201 

Hope,  W.  H.  St.  John,  i,  24,  45,  60,  165 

Hopton-by-Lovvestoft,  81 

Horbling,  61,  77,  207,  208 

Horley,  139,  221 

Hornby,  33,  142 

Horncastle,  123 

Home,  139 

Horning,  9,  95,  272,  273,  304 

Horningden,  264 

Horninghold,  271 

Horningsea,  97,  104 

Hornsea,  229 

Hornsey,  208 

Horsell,  139 

Horsepath,  236 

Horsey,  127,  272,  273 

Horsford,  210 

Horsham,  149,  223 

Horsham  St.  Faith,  127 

Horsley,  195 

Horsmonden,  204 

Horsning,  210 

Horstead,  127 

Horton,  187,  231 

Horton  arms,  57 

Horton-in-Ribblesdale,  230,  231 

Horwood,  268,  269 

Hotham,  223 

Hough,  208 

Hougham,  9 

Houghton,  34,  62,  158,  223 

Houghton  Conquest,  103,  186,  264 


Houghton-le-Clay,  208 

Houghton-le-Dale,  127,  273 

Houghton  Regis,  185,  186 

Hound,  201 

Hour  Glasses,  156-9 

Hour  Glasses  and  Hour-  Glass  Stands,  156-9 

Hovingham,  78 

Howden,  9,  91,  142 

Howell,  9,  170 

Hoxne,  170,  220 

Hoxton,  Christ  Church,  324 

Hubberholme,  93,  142,  231 

Hudd,  Mr.,  166 

Huddington,  304 

Huddlestone  arms,  194 

Huggate,  229 

Hughenden,  187 

Hughley,  132 

Huish  Episcopi,  152 

Hull,  260 

Holy  Trinity,  142,  143,  229 

Hullavington,  140,  346 

Hulsham,  153 

Humanby,  229 

Humbledon,  229 

Hundon,  260 

Hungerford,  Lady  Margaret,  57 

Hungerton,  122 

Hunsdon,  19,  119,  152,  202,  240,  243,  272 

Hunstanton,  34,  127,  209,  210 

Hunston,  138,  280 

Huntsham,  113 

Huntingdon  St.  Mary,  203 

Huntingfield,  219 

Huntington,  152 

Hurley,  187 

Hurst,  42,  158 

Hurslbourne  Priors,  200 

Hurstmonceaux,  76,  78 

Hurstpierpoint,  281 

Huttoft,  207,  208,  304 

Hutton,  34,  150,  217 

Hutton  Bushel,  230 

Hutton  Cranswick,  228,  229 

Hutton  Rudley,  151 

Huxham,  113,  196 

Huyton,  121,  205 

Hythe,  116,  204 

Ickburgh,  127 

Ickleton,  104 

Icklingham,  138,  280 

Icklington,  261,  304 

I  ck worth,  64 

Ideford,  113 

Iffley,  214 

Iford,  222 

Ightham,  120,  121,  204,  285,  29 1,  330 

11am,  218 

Ilfracombe,  65 

Ilkeston,  64,  66,  68,  69,  107,  108 

Ilmer,  103 

Ilmington,  224 

Ilminster,  27 


GENERAL    INDEX 


377 


Ilsington,  113,  268,  269 
Impington,  104,  264,  339 
Incense  Vessels ^  51 
Ingatestone,  158,  199 
Ingham,  127,  210,  260,  280 
Inglesham,  158 
Ingleton,  231 
Ingoldesthorpe,  210 
Ingoldmells,  122,  123,  208 
Ingram,  170 
Ingworth,  127 
Innocent  III.,  295 
Instead,  127 
Inworth,  116 
Ipplepen,  33,  113,  149 
Ippollitts,  62 
Ipswich,  St.  Clement,  220 

St.  Mary,  182 

St.  Mar)'-at-Tower,  138,  220 

St.  Mary  Quay,  220 

St.  Matthew,  138,  220 

St.  Peter,  168,  220 
Irch^ster,  44,  129,  211,  274 
Ireland,  48 
Irnham,  77 

Irstead,  125,  149,  210,  272,  273 
Irthlingborough,  129,  150,  236,  260 
I  sham,  129 
Isle  Abbots,  217,  279 
Isleham,  80,  188,  259 
Italian  churches,  82 
Itchenor,  222 
Ivinghoe,  80,  259 
Ivychurcb,  121,  260 
Iwade,  121 

Jacobstow,  192 

James  I.,  151-2 

James,  William,  115 

Jarrow,  7,  270 

Jarrow-on-Tyue,  149,  251 

Jervaulx  Abbey,  5,  142,  282 

Jevington,  223 

Jrcvet  Book  of  Henry  VJII.^  163. 

Jewel's  Apology,  337-40 

Jewitt,  Llewellyn,  259 

Johnson,  Rev.  John,  177 

Johnston,  Dr.  James,  250 

Johnston,  Mr.  G.  C.  Cocks,  250,  251 

Johnston,  Mr.  Philip,  281 

Journal     of    the    British     Archceological 

Association^  168,  192,  194,  244,  245,  301, 

302 
Journal     of  the    Norfolk     Archceological 

Society.,  273 
Journal  of  the  Somersetshire  Archceological 

Society,  278 
Jubes,  91 

Kea,  33 

Keal,  123 

Keddington,  136,  138,  158,  220,  240,  243, 

280,  286 
Kedleston,  37,  57,  287 


Keg  worth,  165 

Keighton,  231 

Kelby,  271 

Kelham,  130 

Kelling,  78,  182 

Kelmscot,  214 

Kelsale,  245 

Kelshall,  119,  319 

Kelston,  135 

Kelton,  275 

Kemeys  Commander,  9,  124 

Kempton,  102,  103,  186 

Kemsing,  I2i 

Kenchester,  201 

Kenderchurch,  118 

Kenn,  112,  113,  269 

Kennardington,  164 

Kennerleigh,  113 

Kenneth,  104 

Kennett,  64 

Kenninghall,  127 

Kennington,  204 

Kentisbere,  m,  113 

Kentisbury,  113 

Kenton,  no,  112,  113,  149 

Kersey,  138 

Kettering,  339 

Ketteringham,  170 

Kettlebaston,  24,  220 

Kettleburgh,  170,  280 

Kettleston,  346 

Ketton,  215 

Kewstock,  150 

Key  ham,  122 

Keyingham,  158 

Keynsham,  135 

Keyser,  Mr.,  112 

Keysoe,  182,  185,  186 

Keystone,  203 

Key  worth,  213 

Kib  worth,  122 

Kidderminster,  27,  73,  154,  228,  339 

Kidlington,  151,  214 

Kilby,  208 

Kildwick,  142,  143 

Kilham,  229 

Kilkhampton,  106,  262,  267 

Kiln  wick,  229 

Kilpeck,  20I 

Kilvington,  182,  230 

Kilworth,  206 

Kimbolton,  Herefords.,  118 

Kimbolton,  Hunts.,  63,  64,  119 

Kimpton,  9,  119 

King,  Annete,  102 

King,  Richard,  102 

Kings  ClifFe,  129,  150 

Kings  Langley,  119,  149 

Kings  Lynn,  127,  259 

St.  Margaret,  260 

St.  Nicholas,  260 
Kings  Norton,  228 
Kings  Ripton,  62 
Kings  Somborne,  200,  201 


378 


ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


Kings  Sutton,  127,  211,  256,  260 

Kings  Walden,  119 

Kingsbridge,  113,  259 

Kingsbury,  150 

Kingsbury  Episcopi,  135 

Kingsclere,  201,  329 

Kingscliffe,  211,  274 

Kingskerswell,  113 

Kingsland,  118 

Kingsley,  118 

Kings  ley's  Country^  8 

Kingsnympton,  113 

Kingsteignton,  113,  339 

Kingsthorpe,  19,  314,  319,  339 

Kingston,  187,  188,  278,  304,  339 

Kingston  Deverill,  140 

Kingston  St.  Mary,  279 

Kingston  Seymour,  289 

Kingstone,  152 

Kingsworthy,  200,  201 

Kinlet,  132 

Kinnersley,  Herefords.,  26,  346 

Kinnersley,  Salop.,  177 

Kinoulton,  156 

Kinsham,  10,  li 

Kinver,  339 

Kidlington,  260 

Kirby  Bellars,  122,  271 

Kirby  Hill,  282 

Kirby  Laythorpe,  123 

Kirby  Malham,  231 

Kirby-on-the-Moor,  231 

Kirby  Sigston,  262 

Kirdford,  261,  281 

Kirk  Ella,  142,  143 

Kirk  Hallam,  66,  68,  72,  194,  195 

Kirk  Hammerton,  34 

Kirk  Ireton,  16 

Kirk  Langley,  38,  108,  109 

Kirk  Oswald,  33 

Kirk  Sandal,  143 

Kirkburn,  228,  229 

Kirkby,  204,  205 

Kirkby  Fleetham,  230 

Kirkby  Lonsdale,  152 

Kirkby  Stephen,  246 

Kirkdale,  230 

Kirkham,  60 

Kirkhampton,  170 

Kirkheaton,  81 

Kirkleatham,  297,  304 

Kirklington,  156,  213,  339 

Kirkoswald,  246 

Kirkstall  Abbey,  61 

Kirkstead,  92 

Kirkstead  St.  Leonard,  122,  123 

Kirtling,  104 

Kir  ton,  182 

Kislingbury,  211 

Kitchin,  Dean,  168,  344 

Kittisford,  152 

Knaith,  207,  208 

Knapton,  177,  233 

Knaresborough,  4,  231 


Knebvvorth,  149,  151 

Kneeton,  214 

Knettishall,  280 

Knight,  Bishop,  146 

Knight's  Enham,  200 

Knipton,  19,  67,  271 

Kniton,  208 

Kniveton,  38 

Kniveton,  Bart.,  Sir  Gilbert,  38 

Kniveton,  Lady  Frances,  38 

Knodishall,  220 

Knowle,  13,  139,  224,  261,  304 

Lackford,  10,  218,  220 

Ladbrooke,  78 

Laddiswell,  196 

Lakenheath,  220,  261,  273,  280 

Lamarsh,  90,  ii6 

Lamberhurst,  121 

Lambeth  Palace,  37,  56 

Lambley,  130 

Lamerton,  196 

Lamorran,  193 

Lancashire  and  Cheshire  Historical  Society  s 

Proceedings,  189 
Lancaster,  152,  259,  260 
Lancant,  163 
Lancing,  78,  222 
Lancross,  196,  269,  354 
Landbeach,  148,  259,  304 
Landewednack,  182,  191,  193 
Landrake,  191,  192,  193,  267 
Land's  End,  266 
Landulph,  193,  267 
Laneast,  106,  192,  265,  267 
Lanercost  Priory,  5 
Lanfranc,  2 
Langar,  19 
Langdon,  60 
Langford,  103,  131,  264 
Langham,  131,  138,  210,  215,  280 
Langley,  19,  204 

Langley  Marsh,  18,  70,  103,  332,  334 
Langtoft,  77 
Langton,  229,  354 
Langton  Herring,  198 
Langtree,  196 
Lang  with,  51 
Lanivet,  58 
Lanlivery,  193 

Lanreath,  106,  189,  193,  267 
Lansallos,  191,  193,  239,  267 
Lanteglos,    19,   165,    189,   191,    193,   267, 

355,  356 
Lanteglos-by-Fowey,  14 
Lapford,  no,  113,  269 
Lapley,  218 

Lapworth,  139,  224,  304 
Larling,  lo 

Lastingham,  238,  239,  282 
Latchingdon,  116 
Laud,  Archbishop,  18,  37,  48,  2S4 
Laudian  revival,  153 
Laughton-en-lc-Morthen,  81 


GENERAL    INDEX 


379 


Launcells,  io6,  267 
Launceston,  149,  191,  192,  193,  267 
Laveiiham,  81,  138,  220,  261,  280,  288 
Laver  Magdalen,  116 
Lawhitton,  192 
Lawshall,  280 

Laxfield,  138,  168,  263,  280 
Laxham,  209,  210 
Laxton,  211 
Layard,  Miss,  50 
Layer  Marney,  116,  304 
Lea,  Sir  Richard,  162 
Leake,  143,  261,  282 
Leake  arms,  37 
Leatherhead,  222 
Leckford,  118,  200 
Leckhampstead,  62,  187 
Lecte7-7is,  78-81 
Ledbury,  259 
Ledham,  158 
Lee,  62,  70,  264 
Lee,  Sir  Richard,  79 
Leeds,  120,  121 
St.  John,  93 
Leek,  218 
Legbourne,  10,  123 
Leicester,  All  Saints,  149,  206,  271 
St.  Margaret,  292 
St.  Martin,  256,  260,  271,  292 
St.  Mary,  73,  74,  122,  206 
Trinity  Hospital,  243,  271 
Wigston  Hospital,  108 

Leigh,  Kent,  158 

Leigh,  Lanes.,  339 

Leigh,  Surrey,  139 

Leigh,  Worcs.,  141,  227 

Leigh  Delamore,  326 

Leigh-on-Mendip,  10,  217 

Leighton  Buzzard,  79,  80,  103,  186,  259 

Leintwardine,  27 

Leiston,  218,  220 

Leiand,  251 

Lenham,  10,  70,  79,  81,  151,  204,  260 

Lenton,  165,  212,  213 

Lentwardine,  261 

Leo  IV.,  Pope,  60 

Leominster,  31,  33,  177 

Lesbury,  170 

Lessingham,  125,  127,  158,  339 

Letcombe  Basset,  186 

Letcombe  Regis,  186,  264 

Lethaby,  Mr.,  24,  25 

Letheringsett,  209,  210 

Leverington,  Cambs.,  80,  188 

Lever ington,  Suffolk,  81 

Lever  ton,  123 

Lewannick,  267,  321 

Lewes,  152 

St.  Anne,  222,  223 

Lewknor,  20,  78,  214 

Lew  Trenchard,  113,  269,  329 

Leyland,  33,  339 

Lezant,  158 

Libraries,  Churchy  331-6 


Lichfield  Cathedral,  97 

St.  Mary,  304 
Lickenholt,  200 
Lidgate,  138 

Lights  of  a  Churchy  the,  320-30 
Lights  of  a  Mediccval  Church,  320 
Lilburne,  129 
Lilleshall,  215 
Lillingston,  64 
Limington,  135,  279 
Limoges,  241 
Limoges  Enamel,  327 
Limpley  Stoke,  150 
Limpsiield,  51,  221 
Lincoln,  98,  123 

Cathedral,  31,  33,  38,  56,  75,  77,  78,  80, 

91,  168,  207,  208,  253,  256,  258,  260, 

332,  342 
Lznco  Ins  hire  Notes  and  Queries,  253 
Lindfield,  165,  223 
Lingen,  202 
Lingfield,  79,  81,  139,  222,  261,  281,  330, 

339 
Lingwood,  19,  210 
Linkinhorne,  193 
Linley,  215 
Linstead  Magna,  219 
Linstead  Parva,  279 
Linton,  37,  231 
Liskeard,  153,  239 

Litcham,  125,  127,  149,  243,  260,  304 
Litlington,  104 
Little  Abington,  188 
Little  Addington,  129 
Little  Barford,  102,  103 
Little  Billing,  9,  166,  177,  210,  211 
Little  Birch,  37 
Little  Bittering,  210 
Little  Canfield,  116 
Little  Chart,  120,  327 
Little  Chester  ford,  116 
Little  Cornard,  170,  220 
Little  Coxwell,  103 
Little  Coxwold,  302 
Little  Dawley,  215 
Little  Dean,  346 
Little  Dunmow,  253 
Little  Farringdon,  33 
Little  Gidding,  81,  163 
Little  Hadham,  119 
Little  Harrowden,  129 
Little  Hempston,  113 
Little  Hereford,  96,  201 
Little  Horkesley,  116 
Little  Malvern,  140,  141,  261 
Little  Missenden,  187 
Little  Paxton,  260 
Little  Petherwick,  339 
Little  Redisham,  280 
Little  Shelford,  104 
Little  Snoring,  210 
Little  Stukeley,  63,  203 
Little  Thurlow,  288 
Little  Waldingfield,  292,  307 


38o 


ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


Little  Walsingham,  169 

Little  Wratting,  280 

Littlebury,  80,  233 

Littlehales,  Mr.,  98 

Littleham,  no,  112,  113,  196,  269 

Littleham-cum-Exmouth,  113 

Littleport,  104,  304 

Littleton,  201,  272 

Litton  Cheney,  149 

Liverpool,  204 

Lizard,  266 

Llandaff,  154 

Llandinabo,  118 

Llanellan,  208 

Llangattock  Llingoed,  124 

Llangibby,  154 

Llangua,  59 

Llangwm  Isaf,  124 

Llangwm  Uchaf,  124 

Llan'hilleth,  208 

Llanllowell,  208 

Llantilio  Pertholey,  81 

Llanvair  Kilgeddin,  124 

Llanvair  Waterdine,  132 

Locking,  150,  216,  217,  304 

Lockinge,  186 

Locking! on,  88,  121,  122,  229 

Loddon,  127,  168,  240,  243 

Loders,  77,  197 

Lodsworth,  34 

Lolworth,  104,  264 

Londesborough,  228,  229 

London,  All  Hallows,  339 

Architectural    Museum,    Tufton   Street, 
260 

Cornhill,  283 

Parish  churches,  49 

St.  Albans,  Wood  Street,  158 

St.  Andrew  Undershaft,  339 

St.  Catherine's  Hospital,  260 

St.  Clement's,  Eastcheap,  339 

St.  James,  Piccadilly,  162 

St.  Lawrence  Jewry,  35 

St.  Margaret  Patten,  124 

St.  Martin's,  Ironmonger  Lane,  351 

St.  Mary-at-Hill,  40,  41,  44,  46,  53,  98, 
283,  322 

St.  Mary  Woolnoth,  47 

St.  Olave,  Southwark,  49 

St.  Paul's  Cathedral,  2,  80,  124,  161 

St.  Peter,  Cornhill,  124 

St.  Saviour,  Southwark,  20,  21,  27,  306 

St.  Stephen,  Colman  Street,  43 

St.  Stephen,  Walbrook,  99 
Long  Ashton,  10 
Long  Bennington,  123 
Long  Crendon,  187 
Long  Itchington,  139 
Long  Melford,  24,  27,  78,  99,  136,  352 
Long  Stanton,  All  Saints,  187,  188 

St.  Michael's,  64,  306 
Long  Sutton,  20,  81,  135,  150,  293,  306 
Long  Whatton,  121,  122 
Long  Wittenham,  67,  163 


Longbridge,  10 

Longford,  195,  215 

Longham,  127 

Longley  Castle,  177 

Longnor,  218 

Longstone,  195 

Longton,  199 

Longworth,  103,  186 

Lostwithiel,  189,  192,  193,  241,  243 

Loughborough,  17 

Louth,  98,  304,  308,  309 

Lovell,  64 

Loversal,  261 

Low  Catton,  229 

Low  Ham,  135 

Low  Sundon,  306 

Lower  Heyford,  131 

Lowesby,  122 

Lowestoft,  81,  220,  319 

Lowick,  274 

Lubenham,  59,  77,  122,  304 

Luccombe,  64,  70,  77,  78,  133,  135,  217 

Lucton,  215 

Luddesdown,  204 

Ludgate,  177 

Ludham,  88,  125,  127,  210,  219,  243,  304, 

352 
Ludlow,  23,  27,  93,  131,   132,  256,   261, 

356 
LuUingstone,  97,  120,  12 1 
Lullington,  182,  216,  217 
Lulsley,  150 
Lund,  229 
Luppit,  112 
Lupton,  175 
Lurgashall,  174,  175 
Lusby,  123 

Lustleigh,  1 11,  113,  196 
Luton,   70,   77,    102,   103,   161,   186,  235, 

259,  339 
Lutterworth,  149,  326,  347 
Lutton,  78,  211 
Luxulyan,  189 
Lydbury,  215 
Lydd,  121,  262 
Lyddington,  131 
Lyde.     See  Pipe  and  Lyde 
Lydeard  St.  Lawrence,  67,  132,  135,  279 
Lydiard  Tregoze,  116 
Lyford,  186,  264 
Lylynton,  Thomas,  270 
Lyme  Regis,  80,  154,  290,  339,  347 
Lyminge,  35 
Lyminter,  223 
Lympenhoe,  18 
Lyndwood,  4 
Lyndwood,  William,  336 
Lyneham,  140 
Lyng,  347 
Lynn,  258,  334 

St.  Margaret's,  156 
Lynsted,  121 
Lysons,  109 
Lyttleton,  Sir  Thomas,  336 


GENERAL    INDEX 


381 


Madeley,  201,  259,  286,  343,  347 

Madran  Well,  4,  10 

Madrid,  343 

Maghull,  154,  205,  260,  271 

Magor,  124 

Mahogany  Pulpits,  156 

Maiden  Bradley,  227 

Maids-Moreton,  18,  103 

Maidstone,  10,  70,   121,  182,  204,  257,  260 

Mainhead,  113 

Mainstone,  16 

Maisey  Hampton,  80 

Maismore,  153 

Maker,  190,  192 

Malborough,  113 

Malcolm,  Mr.,  59 

Maldon,  336 

Malmesbury  Abbey,  91,  140,  281 

Malmesbury,  William  of,  2 

Malpas,  73,  105,  259 

Maltby-le-Marsh,  207,  208 

Malvern,  258,  339 

Manaton,  113 

Manchester,  121,  256,  257,  258,  260,  334 

Manning  and  Bray,  221 

Manning,  Canon,  319 

Mansetter,  339 

Mantby,  100,  127,  210 

Manton,  215,  243 

Manuden,  116 

Maplederwell,  118 

Mappowder,  197 

Marbury,  189 

March,  188 

Margaretting,  116,  198,  199 

Margate,  204 

Marham,  113 

Maristow,  70,  113,  196 

Market  Bosworth,  170,  206 

Market  Deeping,  208 

Market  Lavington,  227 

Marks  Tey,  161 

Marldon,  113 

Marney,  John  Lord,  304 

Marnhall,  196,  246 

Marr,  231 

Marsham,  127,  168 

Marshchapel,  123,  271 

Marske,  174 

Marston,  78,  103 

Marston-on-Dove,  195 

Marston  Mortaine,  102,  103,  186,  264 

Marston  St.  Lawrence,  129 

Marston  Trussell,  211,  292,  305] 

Marten,  99 

Martham,  168,  305 

Martinhoe,  113 

Martlesham,  280 

Martock,  315 

Marton,  189,  241 

Marton-in-the-Forest,  230,  282 

Marwood,  109,  ill,  113 

Mary,  Queen,  278 

Mary  church,  113 


Masin,  John,  220 

Masin,  Katharine,  220 

Mathews,  J.  H.,  267 

Mathon,  305 

Mattingley,  349 

Mattishall,  127 

Maule,  Rev.  E.,  228 

Mavesyn  Rid  ware,  218 

Mawgan,  267 

Mawgan-in-Pydar,  106 

Mawnan,  106 

Maxey,  97,  274 

Maxtoke,  305 

Mayfield,  139,  261,  330 

Meare,  150,  243 

Mears  Ashby,  240,  243 

Meavy,  196 

Medbourne,  74 

Meesden,  66 

Melbourne,  109,  188,  195,  259 

Melbury  Bubb,  167 

Meldreth,  104,  259 

Melford,  261 

Mellis,  138,  280,  352' 

Mellor,  147,  148,  149,  194,  19s 

Mells,  279 

Melmerby,  33 

Melton,  168,  169,  220,  246 

Melton  Mowbray,  145,  177,  334 

Melton-on-the-Hill,  143 

Melverley,  177 

Membury,  113 

Memorials  of  Old  Kent,  88,  119 

Memories  of  N.  Ferrar,  163 

Menheinot,  193 

Meonstoke,  200 

Mere,  Somerset,  135 

Mere,  Wilts.,  140,  261,  281 

Meretham,  139 

Merevale,  139 

Meriden,  224 

Meriott,  279 

Merrington,  115 

Mersham,  204 

Merstham,  139,  221 

Merton,  Norfolk,  33,  93,  127,  210,  232 

Merton,  Oxon.,  260 

Messingham,  81 

Methley,  142 

Mettingham,  138,  261 

Mevagissey,  189,  190,  193 

Meynell  Langley,  331 

Michaelstone-y-Vedw,  208 

Michaelstow,  193,  265,  267,  357 

Michelmarsh,  201 

Mickfield,  138,  280 

Mickleham,  221 

Mickleover,  79 

Micklethwaite,  Mr.,  98,  128,  165,  250 

Mid-Littleton,  227 

Middle,  336 

Middleham,  230 

Middle  Littleton,  10,  141,  150 

Middle  Rasen,  123 


382 


ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


Middleton  Cheney,  128,  129,  150,  211 

Middleton,  Cheshire,  243 

Middleton,  Hants,  79,  81 

Middleton,  Herefords.,  201 

Middleton,  Lanes.,  lo,  121,  205,  260 

Middleton,  Norfolk,  127 

Middleton-on-the- Wolds,  229 

Middleton,  Pickering,  261,  262,  282 

Middleton,  Suffolk,  182,  219 

Middlezoy,  135,  150 

Mid  hurst,  59 

Milborne,  Dorset,  114 

Milborne,  Port,  135 

Milcombe,  131,  275 

Mildenhall,  10,  59,  64,  138 

Mileham,  243 

Millom,  170,  194 

Milsted,  120 

Milton,  20,  21,  24,  26,  64,  92,  204,  259 

Milton  Abbas,  44,  114 

Milton-by-Sittingbourne,  246 

Milton  Damerel,  20,  196,  354 

Milton,  Ernest,  103 

Milton,  Keynes,  70 

Milverton,  77,  78,  217,  278,  279 

Minehead,  13,  95,  133,  134,  135,  217,  308 

Miningsby,  123 

Minstead,  200 

Minster,  Cornwall,  193 

Minster,  Hants,  200 

^Minster  Lovell,  214,  237 

Minster,  Sheppey,  90,  120,  121 

Minster,  Thanet,  162,  257,  258,  260,  262, 

300,  305 
Minty,  281 
Alisericords^  255-261 
Mishay,  10 
Misterton,  271 
Mitcham,  170,  221 
Mitcheldean,  116,  149 
Mitres^  54-56 
Mobberley,  70,  105 
Moccas,  201 
Mochdre,  94 
Mohun  family,  14 
Moine,  John,  97 
Molash,  204 
Molesworth,  119 
Molland,  88,  112,  113 
Monckton  Farley,  217 
Monk  Fryston,  231 
Monk  Sherborne,  19,  271 
Monken  Hadley,  208 
Monkleigh,  113,  269 
Monks  Risborough,  103 
Monks  Soham,  220 
Monksdale,  107,  108 
Monksilver,  81,  231,  277,  278,  279 
Monkton,  120,  162 
Monmouth,  321 
Montague,  Bishop,  291 
Montg077iery shire  Screens  and  Rood-lofts,  94 
Monyash,  66,  68,  69,  195,  305 
Moore,  Mr.  Temple,  1 10 


Morchard,  Bishop,  in,  113 

More,  334 

Moresby,  238 

Moreton  Hampstead,  109 

Moreton  Pinkney,  324 

Moreton-on-Lugg,  10 

Moreton  Say,  290 

Morieux,  Sir  Thomas,  25 

Morley,  57,  267,  305 

Morris,  Father,  4 

Morston,  127 

Mortlake,  57,  170,  122 

Morton,  123 

Morton  Bagot,  281 

Morval,  193 

Morville,  215 

Morwenstow,  106,  267 

Moseley,  327 

Mottisfont,  200 

Mottram,  189 

Moulton,  58,  123,  127,  138,  280 

Moulton  Deverel,  227 

Mountfield,  170 

Mount  Fitchett,  199 

Mountnessing,  198,  199,  305 

Mowsley,  10 

Much  Hadham,  119 

Much  Marcle,  201 

Mudford,  279 

Mugginton,  38,  109,  195,  267 

Mulbarton,  24 

Mullion,  106,  193,  267 

Mundford,  127 

Mundham,  33 

Munsley,  305 

Munslow,  132 

Mur7-ay's  Guide  to  Cumberland,  225 

Muston,  149,  229,  271 

Mylor,  106 

Mytton,  231 

Nafiferton,  229 

Nausmoen  Belinus,  331 

Nailsea,   145 

Nantwich,    73,    105,    144,    145,    149,   256, 

257,  258,  259,  334 
Naseby,  211 

Nassington,  129,  158,  211 
Navenby,  77 
Neatishead,  127,  149 
Necton,  149,  153 
Nedging,  280 
Needham,  210,  274 
Neen  Savage,  132,  215 
Neen  Sollars,  243 
Neile,  Bishop,  284 
Nether  Stowey,  217 
Nettlecombe,  34,  168,  169,  216,  279 
Newark,    13,  27,  97,  129,  130,   182,  274, 

275,  334 
Newbowine,  138,  220,  261,  280 
New  Buckenham,  126 
Newburgh  Priory,  147 
Newcastle,  St.  Nicholas,  212 


GENERAL    INDEX 


383 


Newcastle  Museum,  55 

Newchurch,  81,  121,  305 

Newdigate,  291,  530 

Newenden,  121,  204 

Newick,  165 

Newington,  121,  204,  233 

Newington-by-Hythe,  162 

Newland,  10 

New  Malton  St.  Leonard,  230 

Newmarket,  188 

Newnham,  200 

New  Shoreham,  97,  222,  223 

Newstead  Priory,  79,  81,  327 

Newton,  188 

Newton  Abbot,  80 

Newton  Bromswold,  150,  274 

Newton,  English,  124 

Newton-in-Cleveland,  230 

Newton  Longueville,  187 

Newton  Petrock,  269 

Newton  Reigney,  194 

Newton,  Welsh,  124 

Newport,  in  Essex,  80,  116,  296,  305 

Newport,  Isle  of  Wight,  118,  155,  246 

Newport  Pagnell,  259,  341 

New  Walsingham,  127 

Nicholas,  Bishop  of  the  Isles,  6 

Nicholson,  Bishop,  246 

Niton,  200 

Norbury,  64,  109,  195,  215 

Norclifife,  C.  B.,  141 

Norfolk  Archseologia,  24,  49,  125 

Norham  Castle,  179 

Normanby,  10 

Normandy,  171 

Normanton,  57 

Normanton-le-Heath,  122 

Normanton-on-Soar,  10,  11,  214,  356 

North  Baddesley,  117,  118 

North  Bovey,  113,  269 

North  Bradley,  170,  226,  227 

North  Burlingham,  125 

North  Cadbury,  217,  277,  279 

North  Cerney,  149 

North  Chapel,  174,  175 

North  Chart,  327 

North  Cheriton,  135 

North  Collingham,  130 

North  Crawley,  103 

North  Creake,  78,  126 

North  Denchworth,  335 

North  Elmham,  14,  126,  r54,  273 

North  Fambridge,  199 

North  Grimston,  228,  229 

North  Huish,  113 

North  Kilworth,  149 

North  Leigh,  130 

North  Lew,  113,  269 

North  Littleton,  141,  227 

North  Luffenham,  131 

North  Lydbury,  131,  132 

North  Mandeville,  116 

North  Marston,  65,  66,  187,  259 

North  Molton,  113,  149 


North  Moreton,  62,  187 

North  Moulton,  197 

North  Mundham,  222 

North  Newbould,  229 

North  Newton,  135 

North  Ockendon,  199 

North  Petherton,  262 

North  Petherwin,  113 

North  Piddle,  281 

North  Porton,  197 

North  Scarle,  123 

North  Shoebury,  199 

North  Somercotes,  207 

North  Somerton,  10 

North  Stoke,  217 

North  Tamerton,  114 

North  Tawton,  268,  269 

North  Walsham,   125,  127,   149,  232,  260, 

307,  353 
North  Weald,  116 
North  Wheatley,  271 
North  Wingfield,  174,  321 
North  Wolton,  10 
Northallerton,  174,  234,  305 
Northampton,  All  Saints,  44,  129,  334 

Museum,  304 

St.  Giles,  324,  340 

St.  Peter's,  211 

St.  Sepulchre,  305,  319 
Northborough,  237 
Northchurch,  305 
Northenden,  105 
Northfleet,  92,  120,  121 
Northill,  259 

Northleach,  3,  26,  116,  149,  314 
Northleigh,  113 
Northwold,  75,  76,  78,  127 
Norton,  195,  223,  224,  228,  261,  279,  280 
Norton,  Canon,  33 
Norton,  Fitzwarren,  134,  135,  279 
Norton,  Mandeville,  270 
Norton,  St.  Philip,  135 
Norton-under-Cannock,  218 
Norwich,  All  Saints,  210 

Bishop's  Palace,  24 

Cathedral,  4,  10,  24,  25,  26,  78,  81,  92 
124,  146,  169,  244,  255,  256,  260,  325 

St.  Andrew's,  37,  260 

St.  Augustine,  326 

St.  George  Tombland,  26 

St.  Gregory,  18,   127,  210,  260,  347 

St.  James,  347 

St.  John,  210 

St.  John-at-Sepulchre,  127 

St.  John  Maddermarket,    125,  127 

St.  John  Timberhill,  127 

St.  MaryCoslany,  149,  158,  247 

St.  Michael-at-Plea,  127 

St.  Michael  Coslany,  260 

St.  Paul,  127 

St.  Peter,  256 

St.  Peter  Mancroft,  24,  26,  33,  235,  260, 

349 
St.  Peter  Mountergate,  49,  127 


384         ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


Norwich,  St.  Saviour,  210 

SS.  Simon  and  Jude,  24,  26,  127 

St.  Stephen,  10,  24,  26 

St.  Swithin,  127,  260 

Walpole  St.  Peter,  256 
Noseley,  64,  162,  206,  260,  271 
Notgrove,  26,  116 
Nottingham,  24 

St.  Mary,  177,  214 
Nowton,  138,  280 
Nuffield,  183,  214 
Nunburnholme,  229 
Nuneaton  Abbey  Church,  319 
Nunney,  3,  135 

Nutfield,  139,  150,  222,  246,  261 
Nutley,  281 
Nynehead,  135 

Oake,  279 

Oakham,  215,  234 

Oakington,  104,  158 

Oakley,  102,  103,  186,  264 

Oaksey,  140 

Oare,  135,  204 

Occold,  280 

Ockbrook,  108,  109,  195 

Ockham,  261,  281 

Odcombe,  37 

Oddingley,  158 

Oddington,  97 

Odell,  103,  158,  186 

Odiham,   153,  171-2,   183,    201,  271,  290, 

305,  355 
Odstock,  150 
Offchurch,  305 
Offenham,  158,  228 
Offertory  Boxes,  243-5, 
Offley,  202 
Offord  Cheney,  272 
Ogwell,  113 
Okeford-Fitzpaine,  114 
Okehampton,  269 
Old  Chests,  29 1 
Old  Hurst,  119,  2C3 
Old  Malton,  229 
Old  Oak  Furniture,  12,  306,  3 12 
Old  Pewter,  59 
Old  Romney,  121 
Old  Shoreham,  90,  139 
Olney,  103 
Ombersley,  13 
Opus  Anglicanum,  342-3 
Orchardleigh,  217 
Ordsall,  130 
Ore,  78 

Orleton,  207,  215,  292,  305 
Orford,  220 

Ormesby,  St.  Michael,  210 
Ormskirk,  174 
Orpington,  204 
Orsett,  icxD,  116,  199 
Orston,  174,  175,  305 
Orton,  149 
Orwell,  13,  188,  259,  264 


Osbaldeston,  Dr.,  141 

Osbournby,  123,  207,  271 

Osmaston,  38,  59 

Osmotherley,  230 

Ospringe,  204 

Otham,  204 

Otley,  280 

Otterbourne,  84 

Ottery  St.   Mary,  20,  21,  26,  70,  74,  80, 

112,  113,  197,  259,  268,269,  347 
Ottringham,  229 
Oulton,  33,  220 
Oundle,  79,  81,  150 
Outwell,  127,  165 
Over,  104,  188,  259 
Over  Silton,  230 
Over  Stowey,  217,  330 
Overbury,  150,  227,  281 
Overmonnow,  208 
Overton,  149,  201 
Ovingdean,  10,  139 
Ovington,  200,  210 
Owthorpe,  153,  214 
Oxburgh,  79,  81,  127 
Oxenhall,  163 
Oxhey,  26 

Oxhill,  139,  224,  281 
Oxford,  All  Saints,  37 

All  Souls  College,  21,  27,  46,  49,  260 

Brasenose  College,  34 

Cathedral,  131 

Christ  Church  College,  260 

Corpus  Christi  College,  31,  34,  47,  55 

Exeter  College,  260 

Magdalen  College,  27,  78,  150 

Merton  College,  74,  78,  81,  261 

New  College,  47,  49,  53,  55,  56,  58,  261 

St.  Aklate,  214 

St.  Clement,  34 

St.  Giles,  10,  214 

St.  Mary  Magdalene,  214,  315 

St.  Michael,  23,  27 

St.  Peter,  150,  162,  236,  336 

St.  Thomas,  13  # 

Trinity  College,  34,  261 

Wadham  College,  47 
Ozleworth,  200 

Padiham,  170,  205 

Padstow,  149,  190,  191,  193,  239,  265,  267 

Paignton,  112,  113,  149 

Painswick,  144 

Pakefielcl,  34,  138 

Pakenfield,  138 

Paley's  Fonts,  166 

Palgrave,  218,  220 

Palling,  272,  273,  274,  319 

Pampisford,  188 

Parham,  138,  164,  169,  170,  183,220,  223, 

280 
Paris,  Matthew,  341 
Parish  Life  in  Mediceval  England,  235 
Parker,  Archbishop,  35,  36,  337 
Parker  House,  162 


GENERAL   INDEX 


385 


Parker,  Mr.,  165 

Parker's  Ecclesiastical  Topography^  103 
Parker's  Glossary^  3,  61,  65,  70,  102,  103, 
130,    138,    158,  202,  211,  223,  231,  237, 

292,  300.  301,  303*  304.  305 
Parkham,  20 

Parracombe,  88,  112,  113 
Partisham,  197 
Partney,  123,  149 
Parwich,  175,  19$,  321 
Paslew,  John,  205 
Passenham,  260 
Paston,  33,  127 
Patching,  223 
Patens  ^\\-?> 
Patricio,  124 

Patrington,  76,  78,  141,  143,  228,  229,  262 
Pattingham,  70,  218 
Patlishall,  316 
Paulerspury,  211 
Paull,  229 
Pax,  49,  50 
Payhembury,  no,  114 
Peakirk,  80,  81,  129,  211 
Pearson  On  the  Creed,  339 
Peckhard's  Memorials  of  N.  Ferrar,  163 
Peckleton,  206 
Peers,  Mr.  80 
Pegge,  57 
Pen  Selwood,  217 
Pendcock,  227 
Pendock,  141,  281 
Penhurst,  139 
Penistone,  231 

Penkevel,  St.  Michael's,  3,  10 
Penkridge,  136,  261 
Penn  arms,  37 
Penrith,  330 
Pentewan,  192-3 
Pentire  family,  238,  265 
Penton,  200,  201,  222 
Pentrich,  195 
Pepys*  Diary,  284 
Perranzabuloe,  189,  193 
Pershore,  51,  141,  261,  305 
Pertenhall,  102,  103 
Peterborough,  Cathedral,  81,  129,  260,  305 

Chair  of  the  Abbots,  254 

St.  John  Baptist,  347 
Peterchurch,  i,  10,  201 
Petrockstow,  197 
Petworth,  175,  221 
Pews,  282-8 
Pewter,  58-9 
Phillack,  80,  267 
Phipson,  Emma,  258 
Pickhill,  175 
Pickworth,  123 
Piddington,  78 
Piecombe,  222 
Pienza,  343 
Pilham,  260 

Pilkington,  Robert,  147,  148 
Pillaton,  193 

2   C 


Pillaton  Hall,  34 

Pilton,  38,  114,  135,  149,  152,  158,  211 

Pimperne,  197 

Pinchbeck,  207,  208 

Pinhoe,  114 

Pinky,  186 

Pinner,  208 

Pipe  and  Lyde,  58,  118 

Pipe  and  Ridware,  218 

Pirford,  281 

Piscinas,  6-7  '    * 

Pitsford,  172,  211 

Pitstone,  187 

Pixley,  n8 

Playden,  139,  223 

Playford,  37,  138 

Pleasley,  174,  195 

Plumtree,  130 

Plympton,  195,  269 

Plympton  St.  Mary,  196,  197 

Plymstock,  no,  114 

Plymtree,  112,  268,  269 

Plymtree  St.  John,  114 

Pocklington,  27,  229,  261 

Poland,  17 

Pole,  Cardinal,  278 

Polebrook,  129,  158,  211 

Polesworth,  305 

Poltimore,  iii,  114 

Polyphant,  191 

Pomeroy  arms,  268 

Pontefract,  231 

Ponting,  Mr.,  226 

Pope  Innocent  IV.,  341 

Porchester,  200 

Poringland,  125,  127 

Porlock,  64,  76,  78,  133,  135,  217 

Portbury,  216,  217 

Portishead,  216,  217,  289 

Portlemouth,  114 

Portslade,  223,  305 

Portsmouth,  349 

Poslingford,  138,  280 

Postling,  120 

Post  wick,  209,  210 

Potsgrove,  102,  103 

Potter  Heigham,    19,  90,   125,  127,    164, 

234,  272 
Potterne,  166,  177,  183,  186,  227 
Poughill,  267 
Poundstock,  10,  106,  267 
Povvderham,  114 
Powick,  14 

Powysland  Museum,  94 
Poynings,  19,  139,  223,  242,  281 
Prescot,  260 
Preshute,  227 
Prestbury,  155,  189 
Preston,  Dorset,  197 
Preston,  Kent,  204 
Preston,  Rutland,  34 
Preston,  Suffolk,  280 
Preston  Bagot,  224,  281 
Preston  Capes,  211 


386 


ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


Preston-in-Holderness,  27 

Prestwich,  205 

Priddy,  135 

Prideaux,  Edmund,  114 

Prideaux  family,  269 

Pridley,  262 

Priestman,  Robert,  181 

Princes  Risborough,  187 

Prinhoe,  243 

Prior,  Mr,,  70 

Priston,  170,  183,  217 

Probus,  10,  106,  174 

Proceedings  of  the  Cambridge  A  ntiq.  Soc.^  257 

Proceedings  of  the  Cumber-land  and  West- 
moreland A  ntiq.  Soc,  67 

Proceedings  of  the  Lancashire  and  Cheshire 
Hist.  Sac,  205 

Proceedings  of  the  Society  of  Antiquaries^  5 

Processional  Crosses,  53-4 

Pucklechurch,  200 

Puddletown,  197,  198,  29I 

Pudsay,  William,  178 

Pudsey,  Bishop,  179 

Pugin's  Glossary,  96 

Pulborough,  223 

Pulham,  114,  127,  197,  274 

Pulham  St.  Mary  Magdalen,  127 

Pulham  St.  Mary  Virgin,  127 

Pulpits,  144-56 

Pulpitum,  91,  95,  97,  102,  146 

Putley,  118 

Puttenham,  272 

Puxton,  158 

Pyecombe,  84,  164 

Pylle,  237 

Pytchley,  89,  128 

Pyxes,  39-45 

Quadring,  123,  183,  207,  208 

Quantocks,  The,  216 

Quarrington,  271 

Quatford,  215 

Quatt,  215,  340 

Queen  Camel,  70,  135,  150,  217,  279 

Queenborough ,  122 

Quethiock,  106 

Quivil,  Bishop,  283 

Quorndon,  121 

Quy,  188 

Rackheath,  127 

Rackheath  Magna,  170,  173,  183 

Radbourne,  162,  195,  233,  267 

RadclifFe-on-Wreake,  33 

Radclive,  187 

Raddington,  88,  135 

Radnage,  62 

Rainham,  173,  199,  305 

Rame,  10,  193,  267 

Rampisham,  26 

Ramsbury,  49,  227 

Ramsey,  Essex,  77 

Ramsey,  Hunts,  51,  79,  81,  203,  340 

Ranceby,  10,  208,  271 


Ranworth,  80,  125,  127 

Raskelf,  282 

Ratby,  206  ' 

Ratcliffe-on-Soar,  10,  11,  19,  174,  214 

Rattary,  196 

Rattlesden,  138,  314 

Raunds,  173,  211,  260,  274 

Raveningham,  78 

Ravensthorpe,  274,  301,  305 

Reading,  St.  Laurence,  98,  99,  187,  264 

St.  Mary,  187,  243 
Rearsby,  206 
Redbourne,  77,  118,  119 
Rede,  280 
Redenhall,  81,  305 
Redlingfield,  280 
Redmire,  230 
Reigate,  27,  139,  222 
Reighton,  229 

Reliquary,  The,  185,  209,  222,  278,  302 
Rendcombe,  47 

Reports  of  Assoc.  Arch.  Soc.^  122 
Repps,  127 
Repton,  10,  34 
Reredoses,  20-7 
Retables,  20,  21 
Rewe,  268,  269 
Ribchester,  205 
Richmond,  143,  230,  259,  261 
Rickinghall  Inferior,  220 
Rickman,  109,  204 
Ridgemont,  186 
Ridley,  328 
Ridlington,  210 
Rievaulx  Abbey,  60 
Rillington,  229 
Ringland,  127 
Ringsfield,  138,  280 
Ringstead,  13,  127,  314 
Ripon,  3,  10,  91,  142,  258,  259,  261 
Rippingale,  123 
Ripple,  51,  141,  174,  261 
Ripton,  62 
Risby,  138,  220,  280 
Risborough  Priors,  187 
Risley,  57,  108,  109,  195 
Rites  of  Durham,  144,  254,  321 
Robertson,  Canon  Scott,  98 
Rochdale,  121 
Roche,  5,  193 
Rochester,  91,  92,  120,  183,  257,  260,  325, 

340 
Rock,  212 
Rock,  Dr.,  7,  48 
Rockbeare,  114 
Rodburgh,  152 

Rodgers,  Mrs.  Clement  F.,  160,  161 
Rodmersham,  12,  260 
Rodney  Stoke,  217 
Rodwell,  139,  223 
Roe,  Mr.,  12,  296,297,  298,  303,  304,  306, 

308,  310,311,  312 
Rollright,  130 
Rolverden,  165,  170,  204 


GENERAL    INDEX 


387 


Romsey,  24,  61,  117,   118,  168,   201,   321, 

347 
Ronaldkirk,  143,  167-9 
Rood  Lights,  327-9 
Rood  Lofts,  83-143 
Roos,  79,  279 
Roothing  Abbot,  116 
Ropsby,  123,  208 
Roscarrock  family,  238,  265 
Rose  Ash,  1 14 
Rossington,  114,  309 
Rotherfield,  139,  223 
Rotherfield  Greys,  214 
Rotherham,  68,  73,  143,  261 
Rotherthorpe,  151,  314 
Rotherwick,  271 
Rothley,  122,  205,  206 
Roth  well,  64,  70,  234,  260 
Rouen,  171 
Rougham,  280 
Roughton,  2IO 
Rounds,  129 
Rousham,  131 
Rowcll,  328 
Rowington,    13,    139.  223,   224,  281,  292, 

293.  305*  309 
Rowley  Regis,  218 
Rowlstone,  201,  329 
Rowston,  123 
Roxton,  102,  103 
Royal  Arms ^  351-6 
Ruan  Magnor,  267 
Ruckinge,  121 
Rudgwick,  223 
Rudham,  127 
Rudstone,  229 
Rugby,  292,  293,  305 
Ruislip,  124,  208,  272.  312 
Rumburgh,  137,  138,  I53>  280 
Runcorn,  105 
Runton,  33,  210 
Ruscombe,  103 
Rushall,  127 
Rushden,  129,  211 
Rushmere,  280,  319 

St.  Andrew,  280 
Rushton,  All  Saints,  177 
Rustington,  139 
Ruston,  210 
Ruston-Parva,  229 
Ruyton,  357 
Ryarsh,  61 
Rye,  100,  139 
Ryhall,  215 
Ryton,  115 

Sacheverell  arms,  57 
Sacombe,  158 
^'-  Sacrament  Houses,''''  43 
Saffron  Walden,  199 
Saham  Toney,  34,  183,  274 
St.  Albans,  20,  21,  26,  91,  92,    119,  162, 
247,  312,  313 
Church  History  Exhibition,  54 


St.  Albans,  St.  Stephen's,  79,  81 

St.  Anne's,  Soho,  327 

St.  Anthony,  33 

St.  Anthony-in-Kerrier,  178 

St.  Austell,  193,  267 

St.  Breock,  192,  193,  267 

St.  Breward,  8,  106,   193,  265,   266,  267, 

355. 
St.  Briavels,  149,  346 
St.  Buryan,  106,  259,  266,  267 
St.  Catherine,  217 
St.  Cleer,  191,  193,  239 
St.  Clether,  193 
St.  Columb  Major,  166,  267 
St.  Constantine,  191,  192,  193       , 
St.  Cuthbert,  189,  193,  343-4 
St.  David's  Cathedral,  31,  55,  86 
St.  Decuman,  135,  150,  217,  279 
St.  Edmund's,  34 
St.  Enoder,  267 
St.  Enodock,  106,  193,  239 
St.  Erney,  193 
St.  Eval,  267 
St.  Feock,  149,  193,  352 
St.  Gennys,  193 

St.  Germans,  106,  189,  193,  259 
St.  Goran,  170,  189,  193 
St.  Gulval,  193 
St.  Issey,  193,  238 
St.  Ive,  193,  237 
St.  Ives,  64,  106,  182,  193,  203,  259,  266, 

267 
St.  John,  193 
St.  Kea,  189,  193 
St.  Keverne,  267 
St.  Kew,  106,  354 
St.  Keyne,  193 
St.  Leonard,  199 
St.  Levan,  106,  266,  267,  355 
St.  Mabyn,  191,  193 
St.  Margaret,  118 
St.  Martin,  19,  191 
St.  Martin-by-Love,  106 
St.  Mary  Bourne,  168,  200,  349 
St.  Mellion,  106 

St.  Merryn,  190,  191,  192,  193,  355 
St.  Michael,  193 
St.  Michael's  Mount,  106,  329 
St.  Minver,  106,  267,  354-5 
St.  Minver  Morwenstow,  266,  267 
St.  Morrice,  Vienne,  96 
St.  Neot,  189,  239 
St.  Neot's,  119,  203 
St.  Nicholas-at-Wade,  329 
St.  Osyth,  199 
St.  Paul's  Cray,  328 
St.  Piran,  262 
St.  Ruan  Major,  106 
St.  Sampson,  189,  193,  267 
St.  Sennen,  355 
St.  Stephen,  190 
St.  Teath,   154,   191,  242,  243,  265,  267, 

340 
St.  Thomas  Aeon,  337 


3^S 


ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


St.  Tudy,  193,  357 
St.  Veep,  II,  193 
St.  Weonard's,  118 
St.  Winnow,  106,  184,  193,  267 
St.  Wulstan,  Bishop  of  Worcester,  2 
Salford  Priors,  152 
Sale,  II 

Salehurst,  222,  223 
Salford,  335 

Salhouse,  127,  136,  158,  210,  272,  274 
Salisbury  Cathedral,  27,    31,  34,  42,  43, 
47,  57,  140,  257,  261,  314,  315,  317, 

325,  331,  347 

St.  Martin,  81 

St.  Thomas,  261,  347 
Sail,  33,  127,  169,  183,  232,  260,  306 
Salley  Abbey,  64 
Sallington,  223 
Salt,  136,  218 
Saltash,  193,  239 
Saltfleetby,  67,  271 

All  Saints,  123 
Salthouse,  127,  210,  274 
Salton-in-Ryedale,  306 
Saltwood,  184,  200,  306 
Salwarp,  228 
Sampford  Brett,  279 
Sampford  Peverell,  114,  196 
Sampson,  Abbot  of  St.  Edmund's,  146 
Sancreed,  106 

Sancroft,  Archbishop,  48,  325 
Sandal,  174 

Sandbach,  177,  188,  189 
Sandford,  150 
Sandford  Orcas,  279 
Sandhurst,  163,  204 
Sandhutton,  230 
Sandiacre,  66,  68,  71,  195 
Sandon,  77,  119,  136 
SandrTdge,  84,  119,  202 
Sandwich,  10,  98,  170 

St.  Clement's,  260 

St.  Mary,  204 
Sandy,  186,  264 
Sandys,  Lord,  .13,  312 
Santon  Downham,  93,  100,  127,  274 
Sapcote,  205,  206 
Sarratt,  77,  202 
Savoy,  Chapel  Royal,  159 
Sawbridgeworth,  119,  202,  306 
Sawley,  22,  26,  67,    107,   108,   153,    267, 

306 
Sawston,  104 
Saxilby,  123 
Saxlingham  Thorpe,  58 
Saxthorpe,  127 
Scalby,  k^S 
Scald  well,  211 
Scambler,  Bishop,  151 
ScarclifFe,  61,  306 
Seaming,  127 
Scarrington,  174 
Scartho,  208 
Scatlow,  210 


Scawton,  83,  230 

Sco-Ruston,.274 

Scotter,  123 

Scottish  Coronation  Stone,  254 

Scraptoft,  206 

Screens  mid  Rood-lofts^  82-143 

Screveton,  213,  258,  260,  306,  356 

Scrivelsby,  123 

Scrope,  Anne,  Lady,  38 

Scrope  arms,  282 

Scrope,  Sir  Robert,  38 

Sculthorpe,  209,  210 

Scale,  221 

Seaton,  215,  314 

Seaton  Ross,  229 

Seats  a?id  Benches,  261-82 

Sedbergh,  231,  241,  243 

Sedburgh,  Adam,  142 

Sedgeberrow,  23,  27,  70,  141,  281 

Sedgbourne,  281 

Sedgebrook,  123,  153 

Sedgefield,  93,  115,  170,  198,  210,  259 

Sedilia,  67-74 

Sefton,  121,  149,  205,  235,  260 

St.  Helen,  154 
Selby,   22,   27,    143,   215,  231,  240,   243, 

261,  315 
Selby  Abbey,  232 
Selby,  Sir  William,  291 
Selham,  222 
Selling,  120 
Selmeston,  10 
Selsey,  223 
Selwick,  225 
Selworthy,    77,    78,    133,    150,    158,    162, 

217,  291 
Semley,  227 
Sempringham,  271 
Send,  139,  280,  281,  291 
Settrington,  229 
Sevenoaks,  153,  204 
Seven  Sacrament  Fonts ^  168,  169 
Severnstoke,  177 
Sevington,  204 
Seymour  Arms,  268 
Shadingfield,  319 
Shaftesbury,  198 
Shalden,  349 
Shalbourne,  63,  187 
Shalford,  100,  116 
Shanklin,  306 
Sharnbrook,  70,  103,  186 
Sharrington,  274 
Shaugh,  10 
Shaugh  Prior,  233 
Shawbury,  152,  215 
Shearsby,  122 
Shebbear,  114 
Sheepstor,  114,  196 
Sheffield,  10,  146,  147 
Sheldon,  114 

Shelfanger,  127,  169,  170,  210 
Shelford,  174,  259,  306 
Shelley,  279,  280,  288 


GENERAL   INDEX 


389 


Shelsley-Beauchamp,  158 

Shelsley  Walsh,  140,  141 

Shenfield,  116,  199 

Shepreth,  188 

Shepton  Mallctt,  217 

Sherborne,  25,  114,  197,  198,  256,  259 

Hospital,  26 

St.  John,  153,  200 
Sherburn,  229 

Sherburn  Hospital,  Chapel,  259 
Shere,  139,  221,  223,  291,  296,  306 
Shereford,  210 
Sherford,  114 
Sheringham,  127,  210,  274 
Shermanbury,  223 
Shernborne,  34,  209,  210 
Sherston,  227 
Sheviock,  193,  239,  267 
Shifnall,  132 
Shilbottle,  212 
Shillingford,  187 
Shillingston,  198 
Shillington,  102,  103,  264 
Shilton,  214 
Shingham,  127 
Shipdham,  80,  81,  335,  356 
Shirland,  340 
Shirley,  33,  57 
Shobdon,  201 
Shopland,  199 
Shoreham,  120,  121 
Shorne,  204 

Shorwell,  16,  149,  158,  184,  340 
Shottesbrook,  27,  73,  187 
Shotswell,  281 
Shotteswell,  3,  10,  139,  224 
Shottisham,  280 
Shotwick,  189 
Shrewsbury,  St.  Giles,  215 

St.  Mary,  10,  327 
Shrivenham,  186 
Shustoke,  306 
Shute,  114 
Shutford,  131 
Sibbertoft,  129,  211 
Sibthorpe,  67,  76,  78,  174,  306 
Sibsey,  208 
Sibton,  138,  219 
Sidbury,  246 
Siddington,  105 
Sigglesthorne,  10 
Silchester,  117,  118,  155,  201 
Silkstede,  Prior,  149 
Silkstone,  142,  143 
Silk  Willoughby,  123,  208,  271 
Silton,  143,  261 
Silverton,  114 
Simpson's  Fonts,  187 
Siston,  163 

Sittingbourne,  170,  340 
Skard,  179 
Skeffington,  122 
Skelton,  230,  231 
Skendleby,  271 


Skenfrith,  347 

Sketch  Book  of  the  Architectural  Associa- 
tion, 13,  105,  123,  129,  131,  153,  155, 
159,  232,  259,  267,  274,  275,  288,  303 

Skillington,  64 

Skipton,  93,  143,  231,  234,  335 

Skipwith,  141 

Skirbeck,  174 

Skirpenbeck,  229 

Slapton,  114,  187 

Slaugham,  78,  222,  223 

Sleatord,  122,  123,  165,  208,  347 

Slimbridge,  164 

Slingsby,  229 

Slingsby,  John,  18 

Smallburgh,  127 

Smarden,  26,  96,  121,  240 

Smeaton,  230 

Smisby,  23 

Smith,  Cardinal,  56 

Smith,  Mr.  Le  Blanc,  171,  194,  213,  304 

Snitterfield,  224,  281 

Snitterton,  127 

Snittesham,  149 

Snailwell,  104 

Snape,  220 

Society  of  Antiquaries,  179,  250 

Soham,  104,  259,  264 

Solihull,  10,  23,  27,  224,  261 

Somerby,  208 

Somerleyton,  136,  138 

Somershall,  218 

Somershall,  Herbert,  194,  195 

Somersham,  62,  64 

Somerton,  27,  131,  152 

Sompting,  223,  315 

Sopley,  152 

Sotterley,  136,  138 

Sotherton,  137,  138,  219 

Soulbury,  264 

Sourton,  114 

South  Acre,  126 

South  Burlingham,  81,  148 

South  Cadbury,  261 

South  Cave,  229 

South  Cockerington,  271 

South  Cove,  62,  137,  138,  219,  280,  319 

South  Cowton,  230 

South  Creake,  126 

South  Creyke,  149,  273 

South  Elmham,  220 
All  Saints,  138,  280 

South  Hayling,  166,  200,  201 

South  Huish,  113 

South  Kensington  Museum,  33 

South  Kilvington,  170 

South  Leigh,  100,  131 

South  Littleton,  150,  227,  281 

South  Lopham,  304 

South  Lynn,  127 

South  Milton,  112,  113 

South  Minims,  77,  124,  208 

South  Molton,  149,  196 

South  Ockendon,  199 


390        ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


South  Ormsby,  184,  207 

South  Petherton,  i6,  22 

South  Pool,  77,  III,  114,  196 

South  Rainham,  127 

South  Redenhall,  127 

South  Repps,  125,  288 

South  Somercotes,  123,  208,  271 

South  Tetherwin,  106 

South  Walsham,  127 

St.  Mary,  272,  274,  319 
South  Warnborough,  117,  118 
South  Willingham,  123 
South  Wootton,  209,  210 
Southacre,  184,  210,  219,  233,  306 
Southam,  150 
Southampton,  Holy  Rood,  81 

St.  Michael's,  81,  168,  200,  340 
Southdrop,  200 
Southfleet,  204,  260 
Southill,  189,  191 
Southleigh,  61 
Southoe,  272 
Southover,  223 
Southwell,  70,  79,  81,  91,  129,  156,  256, 

260,  327 
Southwold,  66,  68,  70,  72,  136,  137,  138, 

169,  261,  299,  306 
Spalding,  123 
Spaldwick,  63,  119 
Sparham,  127,  274 
Sparsholt,  80,  103,  186 
Spaxton,  243,  276,  278,  279 
Speeton,  229,  244 
Spemithorpe,  70 
Spetchley,  300 

Spetisbury,  R.  C.  Church,  114 
Spexhall,  66 

Spondon,  57,  79,  108,  314,  315 
Spoons^  48-9 
Spratton,  70,  211,  274 
Springfield,  116 
Sprixworth,  127 
Sprotborough,  143,  252,  261 
Sproughton,  280 
Spurston,  105 
Stadhampton,  152 
Stagsden,  103,  186 
Stainburn,  230,  231 
Staindrop,  93,  115,  170,  198,  259,  306 
Stainground,  203 
Stafford,  St.  Chad,  306 

St.  Mary,  165,  183,  217,  218 
Stafford,  West,  198 
Stalham,  127,  158,  205 
Stalisfield,  120,  121 
Stalls  and  Misericords^  255-61 
Stamford,  243,  260 

St.  John,  123 
Stamford,  Baron,  211 
Stamford,  Brown's  Hosp.,  271 
Stamford  Mercury,  131 
Stanbridge,  186 
Standish,  205 
Standon,  202,  306 


Stanfield,  127 

Stanford,  129 

Stanford-le-Hope,  116,  199 

Stanground,  203,  273,  336 

Stanhope,  259 

Stansfield,  280 

Stanton,  138,  270 

Stanton,  All  Saints,  208,  280 

Stanton,  Bishop,  250 

Stanton,  Fitzwarren,  177,  184,  226,  227 

Stanton  Harcourt,  78,  92,  100,  130,   131, 

170,  214,  236 
Stanton,  St.  John,  10,  131,  275 

St.  Quinton,  227 
Stanton-on-Wold,  213 
Stanwell,  256,  260 
Stanwick,  211,  274 
Staple,  204 
Stapleford,  214 
Stapleton,  Bishop,  248 
Staunton,   118,  129,    130,   149,  200,  208, 

228 
Staunton,  Adam  de,  244 
Staunton,  All  Saints,  149 
Staunton,  Harold,  327 
Staveley,  77,  108,  195 
Staverton,  114 
Staynford,  William,  142 
Steane,  17 

Stebbing,  84,  85,  115,  116,  162 
Steeple  Aston,  275,  345 
Steeple  Langford,  227 
Stephen,  2 

Stephen,  Professor,  179 
Stepingleigh,  186 
Stetch  worth,  188 
Stevenage,  26,  202,  260 
Steventon,  70,  187,  264 
Stevington,  103,  186 
Stewkley,  187 
Stibbington,  203 
Stidd,  121,  205 
Stifford,   199 
Stillington,  230 
Stixwold,  123,  184,  207,  208 
Stock,  198,  199 
Stockbridge,  200 
Stockerston,  271 
Stockleigh  Pomeroy,  114 
Stockport,  259 
Stockton,  84,  140,  227 
Stody,  209,  210 
Stogumber,  262,  279 
Stoke  Albany,  175 
Stoke-by-Nayland,  170,  261,  280 
Stoke  Canon,  195,  196 
Stoke  Charity,  200 
Stoke  Coursley,  217 
Stoke  d'Abernon,  158,  222,  294,  306 
Stoke  Dry,  131,  275 
Stoke  Gabriel,  114 
Stoke  Gayland,  198 
Stoke  Golding,  122,  206 
Stoke  Goldington,  187 


GENERAL    INDEX 


391 


Stoke  Hammond,  103,  187,  243 

Stoke-in-Teignhead,  iii,  114 

Stoke  Lacy,  118 

Stoke  Nectan,  149 

Stoke  Pogis,  264 

Stoke  Prior,  33 

Stoke  Regis,  187 

Stoke  Rivers,  114 

Stoke  St.  Gregory,  150,  279 

Stoke  St.  Milborough,  215 

Stoke-sub-Hamdon,  135 

Stokenchurch,  131 

Stokenham,  no,  114 

Stokesay,  215,  286 

Stokesby,  272,  274 

Stoley,  169 

Stondon  Massey,  88,  116 

Stone,  187 

Stonegrave,  142 

Stoneleigh,  177,  224 

Stonesby,  206 

Stonham  Aspall,  152,  261,  300,  306 

Stonton  Wyville,  59 

Stotfold,  186 

Stottesden,  215 

vStoulton,  347 

Stourmouth,  204 

Stourton  Caundle,  149 

Stow,  207,  208 

Stow-by- Walton,  18 

Stow-with-Quy,  104 

Stowe,  218 

Stowe  Longa,  33 

Stowlangtoft,  138,  261,  280 

Stowmarket,  280 

Stradishall,  280 

Strange,  Mr.  E.  F.,  125 

Stranton,  259 

Stratfield  Sturgis,  200 

Stratford,  139,  164 

Stratford-on-Avon,  70,  261,  288,  340 

Stratford  Toney,  63,  184 

Stratton,  193 

Streatley,  185,  186 

Strelley,  129,  130,  150,  214 

Strensham,  140,  141,  281 

Stretford,  118 

Stretham,  104 

Stretton,  264 

Stretton  Parva,  271 

Stretton  Sugwas,  201 

Strixton,  129,  158 

Strubby,  207,  208,  272 

Strumpshaw,  125,  127,  210,  319 

Studham,  185,  186 

Stud  ley,  19,  306 

Stuntney,  188 

Sturminster  Marshall,  33,  115,  259 

Sturton,  260 

Suckley,  154,  155,  263,  281 

Suckling's  History  of  Suffolk ^  80,  180 

Suckling's  Papers,  198 

Sudbury,  48 

All  Saints,  138,  150 


Sudbury,  St.  Gregory,  232,  261 

St.  Peter,  138 
Sudbury's  Hutch,  309 
Sudbury,  Thos.,  309 
Suffield,  27,  34 
Sulhampstead  Abbas,  186 
Sunningwell,  13,  264 
Surfleet,  208 
Sussex  Arch.  Coll.^  222 
Sustead,  127 
Sutcombe,  114,  150,  269 
Sutton,  Bedford,  i86 
Sutton,  Cambs.,  64,  264 
Sutton,  Norfolk,  90,  158 
Sutton,  Northants,  127,  211 
Sutton,  Suffolk,  220,  280 
Sutton,  Sussex,  223 
Sutton,  Yorks.,  27,  141,  229  ' 

Sutton,  Warwicks.,  224 
Sutton-at-Howe,  149 
Sutton  Benger,  347 
Sutton  Bonnington,    St.    Michael's,    172, 

173,  214,  262 
Sutton  Courtney,  103,  186,  259,  336 
Sutton-in-Holderness,  143 
Sutton  Mandeville,  153 
Sutton  St.  Mary,  214,  243,  335 
Swaffham,  127,  274,  335 
Swafield,  125,  127. 
Swalcliffe,  130 
Swalecliffe,  204 
Swanscombe,  81,  121,  162,  204 
Swanswick,  217 
Swanton  Abbot,  125,  127,  274 
S wanton  Morley,  127 
Swanton  Novers,  210,  274 
Swarby,  155 
Swardeston,  127 
Swaton,  81,  123,  260 
Swavesey,  188 
Swaynton,  207,  208 
Swefling,  58 
Sweyne,  253 
Swillington,  279 
Swimbridge,  149,  162,  233 
Swinbrook,  130,  131,  150,  261,  275 
Swine,  141,  142,  143,  261 
Swineshead,  11,  63,  119,  122,  123,  272 
Swinnerton,  136 
Swithland,  327 
Swymbridge,  no,  III,  114 
Syon  Monastery,  344 
Sydenham,  131 
Syerston,  152 
Syleham,  280 
Symonds,  Geoffrey,  180 
Sympson,  Dr.  Mansel,  122 
Syresham,  211 
Syston,  33 

Table  Book^  247 
Tackley,  65 
Taconeston,  127 
Taddington,  79,  195 


392         ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


Tadmarton,  214 

Talaton,  109 

Talland,  19,  106,  193,  267 

Tamerton,  149,  267 

Tamerton  Foliot,  1 14 

Tangley,  164 

Tangmere,  11 

Tankersley,  231 

Tansor,  129,  211,  257,  260,  274 

Tan  worth,  293,  306 

Tarrant  Hinton,  76,  77 

Tarring  Nevill,  1 1 

Tasley,  132 

Tattershall,  122,  123,  149,  260,  272 

Taunton,  24,  132,  217,  278 

Taverham,  127 

Tavistock,  268,  269,  340 

Tawstock,  114,  158,  196 

Taynton,  214 

Tebay,  225 

Tedburn,  347 

Tedstone  Delamere,  118 

Teffont  Ewyas,  47 

Tempsford,  70,  103 

Ten  Command f?tents,  356-7 

Terrington  St.  Clement,  11,  184,  210,  232, 

306,  356 
Tessingham,  210 
Tetcote,  196 
Tettenhall,  136,  292 
Teversall,  286 
Teversham,  104 
Tew,  275 

Tewkesbury,  11,  44,  68,  116,  259 
Teynham,  121 
Thakeham,  139,  223 
Thame,  214,  261 
Thames  Ditton,  221 
Thanet,  St.  Laurence,  120,  121 

St.  Peter,  120 
Thatcham,  187 
Thaxted,  149,  162,  199,  233 
Theberton,  150,  219 
Theddingworth,  271 
Theddlethorpe,  II,  208,  271,  272 
Thelveton,  210 
Therfield,  202 
Thettord,  St.  Cuthbert,  127 

St.  Peter,  127 
Theydon  Garnon,  50 
Thirsk,  142,  143,  230,  232,  282 
Thomas,  Archdeacon,  94 
Thomford,  114 
Thompson,  58,  260,  274 
Thorington,  210,  280 
Thorley,  237 
Thornage,  38 
Thornbury,  149,  199,  200 
Thornby,  211 
Thorndon,  280 
Thome,  231 
Thornefalcon,  279 
Thorngumbald,  229 
Thornham,  127,  223,  274 


Thornton  Curtis,  168,  207,  208 

Thornton  Dale,  230 

Thornton  Steward,  230 

Thoroton,  213 

Thorpe,  Derby,  194,  195 

Thorpe,  Lincoln,  207 

Thorpe,  Suffolk,  220,  280 

Thorpe  Abbots,  127 

Thorpe  Arnold,  63,  205,  206 

Thorpe-by-Newark,  213,  236,  238 

Thorpe,  John,  128 

Thorpe  Langton,  271 

Thorpe  St.  Peter,  123,  208,  272 

Thorpe  Salvin,  230,  231 

Thrandeston,  138,  280 

Threckingham,  184,  207,  208,  271,  272 

Threxton,  127,  274 

Thriplow,  188,  264 

Thrones  and  Chairs^  248-55 

Throwleigh,  114 

Throwley,  260 

Thunderley,  199 

Thurcaston,  92,  121,  122,  130 

Thurgarton,  11,  34,  260 

Thurlby-by-Newark,  272 

Thurleigh,  264 

Thurleston,  80,  114,  149 

Thurlow,  138,  280,  288 

Thurlton,  127 

Thurnby,  206 

Thurne,  20,  26 

Thurning,  149 

Thurrock  Grange,  116 

Thursley,  221 

Thuxton,  201 

Tibenham,  127 

Ticehurst,  232 

Tickencote,  215 

Tickenham,  II,  216,  217 

Tickhill,  231 

Ticknall,  57 

Tidenham,  163,  199,  200 

Tideswell,  11,  22,  26,  68,  71,  107,  259 

Tidmarsh,  70 

Tiffield,  211 

Tilbrook,  102,  103,  119 

Tilney  All  Saints,  127,  184,  260 

Tilshead,  227 

Tilstock,  306,  330,  340 

Tilston,  189 

Tils  worth,  186 

Timberscombe,  133,  135 

Timsbury,  155 

Tingrith,  185,  186 

Tintagel,  3,  11,  106,  190,   191,  193,  262, 

266 
Tintinhull,  85,  135,  279 
Tisbury,  227 
Tissington,  194,  195 
Titchborne,  3,  il 
Titchcombe,  149 
Tithby,  174,  307 
Tittleshall,  34 
Titton,  206 


GENERAL    INDEX 


393 


Tiverton,  112,  217 

Tivetshall,  127 

Todbere,  il 

Toddington,  ii 

Toft,  264 

Toft  Monks,  127 

Toftrees,  209,  210 

Toller  Fratrum,  196 

Tollerton,  61 

ToUesbury,  185 

Toners  Puddle,  270 

Tong,  Kent,  121 

Tong,  Salop,  11,  37,   131,    132,  256,  261, 

335,  347 
Torbryan,  112,  114,  149 
Torpenhow,  194 
Torrington,  195,  268 
Tortington,  223 
Tostock,  280 

Totnes,  34,  112,  113,  149,  196,  335 
Totternhoe,  264 
Tottington,  128 
Tournay  quarries,  the,  167 
Towcester,  211,  340 
Towersey,  61 
Tower,  the,  163 
Tovvnstal,  13 

Treborough,  65,  66,  150,  217 
Trent,  114,  115,  135,279 
Trentham,  136 
Trevalga,  193 
Trevose,  191 
Trimingham,  125,  127 
Tring,  77 
Triplow,  104 
Troston,  138,  280 
Trowbridge,  227 
Trull,  135,  150,  262,  278,  279 
Trumpington,  64,  65,  104,  187,  188 
Trunch,  125,  126,  127,  i6i,  210,  235,  260, 

274 
Trusham,  114 
Trusley,  347 

Tuddenham,  34,  127,  150,  220 
Tuddenham  St.  Martin,  280 

St.  Mary,  280 
Tugby,  149 
Tunstall,  229 

Tunstall  arms,  178 
Tunstead,  90,  125,  127,  274 
Tunworth,  242,  243 
Turners  Puddle,  197 
Turton,  335 

Turvey,  70,  186,  187,  218 
Tuttington,  34 
Twyford,  34,  206 
Twywell,  77 
Tydd,  188 
Tysoe,  224,  281 
Tywardreath,  11,  106,  267 

Ubbeston,  41,  247,  261,  328 
Ubley,  340 
Ufifculme,  no,  114 


Uffington,  II,  73 

Ufford,   63,   138,  170,  211,  220,232,  262, 

274,  280 
Ugborough,  112,  114,  196 
Uggeshall,  62,  219 
Ugglebarnby,  35 
Ulceby,  123 
Ulcombe,  204 
Uldale,  58 
Ullenhall,  224 
Upchurch,  121,  260 
Uphill,  217 
Upminster,  116,  199 
Upper  Broughton,  214 
Upper  Cressett,  215 
Upper  Donhead,  15,227 
Uppington,  215 

Upton,  13,  125,  127,  187,203,  210,  315 
Upton  Grey,  201,  316 
Upton  Magna,  291,  340 
Upton  Scudamore,  225 
Upton  Snodsbury,  140,  141,  227,  307 
Upwaltham,  223,  281 
Up  way,  115 
Upwell,  127 
Urchfont,  27 
Usk,  124 
Utterby,  155 

Vallance,  Mr.  Aymer,  54,  S;^,  89,  96,  119, 

120,  327 
Vandey,  Abbot  of,  97 
Veiusta  Monunicnta,  2.2)2. 
Victoria  and  Albert  Museum,  7,  25,  54, 

324,  344 
Victoria  County  History^  Durham,  166 
I  ictoria  County  History^  Hants,  1 66 
Victoria  County  History,  Norfolk,  125,  209 
Victoria  County  History,  Northants,  80 
Victoria  County  History,  Surrey,  139 
Vision  of  Piers  Ploughman^  282 
Vouneuil-sous-Biard,  3 
Vowchurch,  38 

Waberthwaite,  194 
Waddesdon,  187 
Wadham  arms,  268 
Wakefield,  143,  174,  261 
Walberswick,  40,  307 
Walcot,  Lines.,  208,  271 
Walcot,  Norfolk,  127,  209,  210 
Waldingfield,  280 
Walford,  200,  202 
Walgrave,  224,  340 
Walkeringham,  130 
Walkerne,  119 
Wallasey,  189 
Waller,  Master,  25 
Wallington,  119 
Walmer,  33 
Walmsley,  336 

Walpole  St.  Andrew,  146,  159 
Walpole  St.  Peter,  127,  184,  234,  243,  260, 
274 


394 


ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


Walsham-le- Willows,  138,  280 

Walsingham,  149,  184,  210 

Walsoken,  79,  127,  169,  184,  210,  219,  260 

Walter  of  York,  Archbishop,  49 

Waltham,  66,  91,  116 

Waltham  of  Salisbury,  Bishop,  43. 

Waltham -on-the- Wolds,  206 

Walton,  Lanes.,  205 

Walton,  Suffolk,  138 

Walton-on-Thames,  291 

Walton-on-the-Hill,  78,  163,  204,  205,  221 

Walworth,  St.  Peter's,  49 

Wandborough,  139 

Wanderford,  210 

Wangford,  153,  352 

Wansford,  210,  211 

Wantage,  57,  i86,  259,  264,  347 

Wantisden,  280 

Warborough,  131,  163 

Warboys,  203 

Warbstow,  192,  193 

Wardington,  131 

Wardour,  345 

Ware,  119,  202 

Wareham,  163,  197,  210,  321 

Warfield,  103 

Warkleigh,  43,  74,  114 

Wark worth,  274 

Warkworth  Hermitage,  2 

Warlingham,  222 

Warmingham,  234 

Warmington,  3,  11,  62,  129,  150,  262 

Warm  well,  197 

Warnham,  139,  223 

Warrington,  353 

Warton,  205 

Warwick,  66,  78,  139,  299,  336 

Washfield,  in,  114 
Water  Newton,  203 

Waterbeach,  11 

Waterfall,  136 

Waterless,  188 

Watford,  78 

Wath,  297,  307 

Wattenhoe,  211 

Wattisfield,  138,  280 

Watton,  Essex,  66 

Watton,  Herts,  307 

Watton,  Norfolk,  241,  242,  243 

Watton,  Yorks.,  141 

Wavendon,  64 

Waverley  Abbey,  321 

Wawne,  229  , 

Waxham,  319 

Way,  Mr.  Albert,  48 

Weate's  Quarterly  Papers^  140 

Wear  Gifford,  195,  196 

Weathersfield,  116 

Weaverthorpe,  229 

Weddington,  224 

Wedmore,  81 

Wednesbury,  152 

Week  St.  Pancras,  269 

Weeting,  127 


Weever's  Funeral  Monuments j  18 

Weir  Gifford,  269 

Welby,  123,  272 

Welcombe,  114,  150 

Welford,  186,  200 

Welham,  17 

Welland,  37 

Wellingborough,  19,  129,  260,  324 

Wellingham,  127 

Wellingore,  68,  73 

Wellington,  24,  27,  243 

Wellow,  Notts.,  213 

Wellow,  Somerset,  135,  165,  216,  279 

Wells,    II,   23,  27,  45,  54,  78,  81,  91,  92, 

127,  135,  146,  255,  261,  317 
Welsh  Newton,  84 
Welwick,  141,  143,  229 
Wem,  247,  300,  307 
Wembury,  236 
Wem  Gifford,  114 
Wend  ens  Ambo,  116 
W^endling,  127 
Wendon,  116,  149 
Wendover,  103 
Wenhaston,  87 
Wenlock,  3,  79,  81 
Wensley,    143,    174,    184,  230,  244,  261, 

282,  285 
Wentworth,  187,  l88 
Wesenham,  127 
Wesley,  John,  146 
West  Alvington,  77,  109 
West  Barsham,  349 
West  Bradenham,  210 
West  Bridgford,  64,  70,  130 
West  Bromwich,  218 
West  Buckland,  217,  279 
West  Camel,  279 
West  Challow,  33,  103 
West  Chelborough,  197 
West  Clandon,  221 

West  Dean,  223 

West  Deeping,  123,  170,  207,  208 

West  Drayton,  33,  38,  208 

West  Ferring,  223 

West  Grinstead,  41,  223,  227,   229,  292, 
303 

West  Haddon,  210,  211,  304 

West  Hallam,  195 

West  Harling,  304,  354 

West  Harnham,  140 

West  Hendred,  304 

West  Horsley,  139,  221,  261 

West  Kirby,  70 

West  Lee,  161 

West  Lynn,  169,  273 

West  Mersea,  167 

West  Molesey,  222 

West  Peckham,  204 

West  Pennard,  135,  152 

West  Potterne,  150 

West  Putford,  20,  269 

West  Rounton,  230 

West  Shefford,  59,  186 


GENERAL    INDEX 


395 


West  Somerton,  149 
West  Stafford,  114 
West  Tarring,  139,  261 
West  Theddlethorpe,  122 
West  Thorney,  139,  222 
West  Tofts,  127,  274 
West  Torrington,  123,  208 
West  Wickham,  104,  121 
West  Wittering,  222 
Westbere,  271 

Westborough,  4,  1 1,  123,  315 
Westbourne,  34 
Westbury-on-Trym,  289 
Westcote  Barton,  131 
Westerham,  204 
Westerleigh,  199,  200 
Westhall,  65,  136,  137,  138,  169,  261,  280 
Westham,  11,  139 
Westleton,  22,  27,  219,  261,  280 
W^estley,  188 

Westminster  Abbey,  3,  7,  21,  24,  26,  70, 
124,  258,  293,  296,  317,  325,  345,  350 
Westminster  Abbey  and  the  King's  Crafts- 
men, 24 

Coronation  Chair,  254 

Henry  VIII,  Chapel,  23,  26,  257,  260 

Jerusalem  Chamber,  24,  26 

St.  Edmund's  Chapel,  26 

St.  Margaret's  Chapel,  34,  43,  47 

St.  Stephen's  Chapel,  336 

The  Palace,  49 
Weston,  Line,  207,  208 
Weston,  Norfolk,  11,  327 
Weston,  Suffolk,  169,  220 
Weston  Favell,  129,  159,  350 
Weston-in-Gordano,  145,  261,  289 
Weston  Longueville,  11,  127 
Weston-on-Trent,  152,  267 
Weston  Turville,  103,  264 
Weston-under  Weatherley,  224 
Weston  Underwood,  187 
Weston  Zoyland,  13,  47,  279 
Westow,  229 
Westward,  37 
Westwell,    Kent,  73,    84,   120,   121,    162, 

327 
Westwell,  Oxon.,  214 
Westwick,  125,  127,  210 
Wetheral,  311 
Wetheringsett,  280 
Weybourne,  274 
Whaddon,  Bucks.,  187,  247 
Whaddon,  Cambs.,  104,  188 
Whaddon,  Wilts.,  226 
Whalley,  121,  170,  205,  260,  285 
Whaplode,  11 
Wharram-le-Streel,  229 
Wharram,  Percy,  229 
Whatcote,  224 
Whatton,  174,  229 
Wheatacre,  127 
Wheatfield,  11 
Wheathampstead,    26,   66,  81,    119,    149, 

260 


Whenley,  143 

Whickham,  350 

Whimple,  114 

Whissendine,  il 

Whitbeck,  33,  58,  194 

Whitchurch,  Dorset,  198 

Whitchurch,  Salop.,  330,  336,  340 

Whitchurch  Canicorum,  197 

White  Waltham,  24,  62,  64 

Whitechapel,  231 

Whitestaunton,  135,  278,  279 

Whitford,  114 

Whitson,  208 

Whitscombe,  197 

Whitstone,  193 

Whittlesea,  70,  104 

Whittlesea  Mere,  51 

Whittlesford,  24,  104,  188 

Whitwell,  II,  14,  70 

Whitwick,  206 

Whitworth,  Rev.  R.  II.,  156 

Whixall,  173 

Whorlton,  230 

Wicken  Bonant,  199 

Wickenby,  123 

Wickham  Market,  220  ' 

Wickhambrook,  220 

Wickhamford,  141,  150,  227,  281 

Wickmere,  127,  240,  243,  274 

Wichnor,  218 

Widecombe-le-Moors,  112,  114 

Widford,  150 

Wigan,  205 

Wiggenhall,   11,  81,   127,    159,  260,  263, 

274»  340 
Wight,  Isle  of,  14,  1 6 
Wighton,  127 
Wigmore,  97,  259 
Wigtoft,  123,  337 
Wigton,  239 
Wilburton,  104,  188 
Wilden,  186 
Willand,  114 
Willerby,  229 
Willesborough,  74 
Williams,  Archbishop,  of  York,  17 
Williams,  Sir  Charles,  154 
Willingale  Doe,  199 
Willingale  Spain,  199 
Willingdon,  222,  223,  307 
Willingham,  104 
Willington,  263,  264 
Willisham,  220 
Willoughby,  224 

Willoughby  arms,  57,  107,  108,  195 
Willoughby,  Sir  John,  108 
Wilmslow,  105,  173,  188,  189 
Wilne,  108,  109,  167,  195,  292,  307 
Wilsford,  64,  208,  272 
Wilts.    ArchcBological  Soc.  Magazine^  225, 

226,  227,  254 
Wimbish,  116 

Wimborne,  17,  80,  259,  292,  307,  336 
Wimbotsham,  272,  273 


396 


ENGLISH    CHURCH    FURNITURE 


Wimpole,  i88 

Winchcombe,  19,  116,  149,  243,  348 
"Winchelsea,  Archbishop,  164 
Winchester  Cathedral,  19,  20,  21,  24,  26, 
56,  58,  81,  96,  118,  149,  167,  168,  200, 
218,  256,  259,  265,  270,  271,  311,  342 

College,  259 

Council  of,  2 

St.  Cross,  25,  118,  259 
^   St.  John's,  77,  118 
Winchfield,  19,  61,  153,  200,  271 
Windsor,  243,  258 

St.  George's  Chapel,  47,  56,  240,  257, 

259 
Winestead,  141,  143 
Wing,  103,  187,  264 
Wingate,  260 
Winger  worth,  87,  109 
Wingfield,  138,  261 
Wingham,  95,  96,  121 
Winkburn,  213 
Winkbury,  130 
Winsford,  217 
Winsham,  135,  279 
Winster,  195 
Winston,  198,  261,  280 
Winter,  Mr.  C.  J.  W.,  125 
Winterborne,  149,  186 
Winterborne  Abbas,  197 
Winterborne  Came,  115,  198 
Winterborne  Monkton,  27,  115 
Winterborne  St.  Martin,  197 
Winterborne  Stickland,  115 
Winterborne  Whitchurch,  170 
Winterborne  Zebston,  198 
Winteringham,  100,  141,  142,  229 
Winthorpe,  123,  260,  272 
Winwick,  205,  211,  260,  274 
Wirksworth,  174,  175,  195,  235 
Wirral  Hundred,  189 
Wistanstow,  214,  357 
Wissett,  41,  219,  280,  328 
Wiston,  Hunts,  64,  119 
Wiston,  Suffolk,  170 
Wistow,  203. 

Witcham,  64,  148,  149,  187,  188 
Witham,  116 
Witham-on-the-Hill,  260 
Witherley,  271 
Withersfield,  136,  138,  280 
Withington,  118 
Withome,  Walter,  Bishop  of,  5 
Withybrook,  78 

Withycombe,  133,  134,  135,  217 
Withypool,  217 
Witley,  139,  221 
Witnesham,  220 
Wittering,  261 
Witton,  149,  189 
Witton-le-Wear,  198 
Wix,  352 

Woking,  221,  281,  291 
Wokingham,  187,  227 
Wolborough,  112,  114 


Wold  Newton,  184,  207,  208 

Wolferton,  127,  274 

Wolingworth,  232 

Wollaton,  214 

Wolsey,  Cardinal,  311,  312 

Wolston,  224 

Wolvercote,  150,  159 

Wolverhampton,   16,   136,   144,   145,   150, 

218,  290 
Wolverley,  340 
Wolverton,  Hants,  156 
Wolverton,  Warwicks.,  78,  139,  224 
Wombwell,  Sir  George  O.,  147 
Womersley,  231 
Wood  DaUing,  34 
Wood  Ditton,  104,  264 
Wood  borough,  13,  130,  213 
Woodbridge,  136,  138,  169,  220 
Woodbury,  88,  114 
Woodchurch,  Chester,  105,  170,  188,  189, 

259,  264 
Woodchurch,  Kent,  203 
Woode,  John,  13 
Woode,  Robert,  13 
Woodford,  150,  211,  274 
Woodham  Ferrers,  116 
Woodham  Ferris,  199 
Woodhouse,  271 
Woodland,  196 
Woodleigh,  77 
Wool,  84,  114,  198,  321,  348 
Woolbeding,  223 
Woolbeding,  223 
Woolborough,  196 
Woolfardis worthy,  196,  269 
Woolhampton,  186 
Woolpit,  138,  280 
Woolstone,  164 
Wootton,  Beds.,  103 
Wootton  Courtney,  238 
Wootton  Glanville,  198 
Wootton,  Kent,  243,  271 
Wootton,  Oxon.,  214 
Wootton  Wawen,  139,  150,  224,  281,  293, 

307.  340 
Worcester,  All  Saints,  340 

Cathedral,    12,    27,    34,   14^,   150,   255, 
256,  258,  259,  261,  348 

St.  Albans,  228 
Wordwell,  280 
Worfield,  214 
Work,  261 
Workington,  194 
Worling  worth,  177 
Wormleighton,  139 
Wormley,  202 
Worplesdon,  221,  261 
Worstead,  25,  26,  125,  126,  127,  210,  232, 

274,  288 
Worth,  Dorset,  157 
Worth,  Sussex,  139,  151,  223,  307 
Wortham,  220 
Wouldham,  120 
Wounds,  273 


GENERAL    INDEX 


397 


Wragley,  231 

Wrangle,  185 

Wraxhall,  217,  279,  289 

Wren,  Bishop,  18,  48,  55,  56 

Wrenthani,  319 

Wrestlingworth,  186 

Wright's  Essays  on  Archceological  Subjects^ 

259 
Wrington,  135,  140 
Writtle,  77,  198,  199,  270 
Wrotham,  95,  121,  204 
Wroughton,  70 
Wroxeter,  78,  167 
Wroxton,  214 
Wybunbury,  170,  189 
Wychling,  164 
Wyddial,  119 
W^ye,  204 
Wyfordby,  206 
Wyke,  Hants,  33 
Wyke,  Wilts.,  30,  33 

Wykeham,  William  of,  38,  49,  53,  55,  56,  58 
Wylye,  34 
Wymeswold,  33,  43 
Wymondham,  34,  124,  210,  340 
Wynford,  61 
Wyre  Piddle,  227 

Wysall,  100,  130,  150,  174,  213,  214,  260 
Wytham-on-Hill,  208 
Wyverstone,  41,  159,  280 

Yapham,  229 
Yapton,  222,  223 
Yarborough,  123,  272 
Yarlington,  217 
Yarmouth,  14,  26,  159,  336 


Yarnton,  24,  27,  131 
Yarpole,  215 
Yate,  165,  199,  200,  270 
Yateley,  37,  201 
Yatesbury,  225,  227 
Yattendon,  187 
Yatton,  85,  322 
Yatton  Keynell,  140 
Yaxham,  210 

Yaxley,  119,  138,  139,  280 
Yealmpton,  70,  197 
Yeldham,  116 
Yelford,  131 
Yelling,  119 
Yelvertoft,  274 
Yelverton,  127 
Yeovil,  78,  81 
Yetford,  127 
Yetminster,  115,  270 
York,  All  Saints,  11,  81 

Minster,  7,  27,  30,  31,  34,  56,  78,  81, 
91,  142,  254,  297,  298,  307,  310,  316, 
321,  325,  340 

Museum,  228,  238 

St.  Crux,  81,  340 

St.  Martin,  105 

St.  Mary's  Abbey,  238 

St.  Mary's  Bishopshill,  348 

St.  Mary's  Castlegate,  256,  261 

St.  Michael,  11 

St.  Saviour,  261 
Youlgreave,  171,  172,  194,  195 
Yoxford,  138,  219,  237 

Zennor,  193,  266,  267 
Zouch,  Lord,  162 


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